#Bye-ByeUTI

A UTI is an infection of any part of the urinary tract.

UTIs are the most common bacterial infection in humans, mainly presenting in women, with 40% of women expected to suffer from one during their lifetime.

Symptoms of a UTI include:

  • Burning or stinging sensation on passing urine
  • Needing to pass urine frequently or urgently
  • Cloudy urine
  • Passing excessive or large quantities of urine

More than 75,000 women in the North East and North Cumbria, aged between 16-64, presented at a GP practice with a UTI in the last six months.

UTIs consequently take up a large proportion of resources within the healthcare system, accounting for 2-4% of all GP appointments each year and 10% of extended access appointments are for the treatment of a UTI.

Approx. 15% (4.8 million) of women in the UK suffer from a UTI each year, therefore it is anticipated that high uptake of this service has the potential to significantly reduce demand on general practice, extended access, NHS 111 and urgent and emergency care centres.

The North East and North Cumbria is the 6th highest prescriber of antibiotics for UTIs in England, has the highest rate of admissions for UTIs (which is increasing, unlike the national picture), and is the 3rd highest for female community onset cases of E. coli bacteraemia.