Setting the standard for Healthcare Excellence
Lincolnshire ICB is proud to reveal that its work with Healthy.io and Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacies, to deliver a pharmacy-led test and treat service for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), has been shortlisted for ‘Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year’ at this year’s HSJ Awards.
Since launching in September 2021, the new pharmacy-led UTI test and treat service has enabled over 1,400 women in Lincolnshire to be tested and treated for painful urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the same day without having to book an appointment with their general practice. This has helped release an estimated 210 hours in general practice time and support appropriate prescribing of antibiotics.
Under the test and treat service, women can visit one of 38 Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacies across the county which offer the service, where a pharmacist will ask some basic questions about eligibility and symptoms. Those who are eligible will be asked to download a free ‘Dip UTI’ app onto their phone and take away a Dip UTI urine dip-stick testing kit.
In the comfort of their own home, the user dips a testing strip into a mid-stream urine sample, places it on a colour board and scans it with their smartphone camera. The whole test takes three minutes. The scan is downloaded onto the app and analysed to provide an indication of how likely a UTI is present. The user can then return to the pharmacy for interpretation by a pharmacist and the best course of treatment, based on the result and symptoms.
“In collaborating with Lincolnshire Co-op Pharmacies and Healthy.io we have been able to introduce this innovative, accessible, digital testing solution for women experiencing symptoms of UTI. Utilising the latest technology and a smartphone app women are able to complete a UTI test, access a quick clinical consultation with a pharmacist and get appropriate treatment faster than before. We have seen some fantastic results and this is testament to the great partnership working.”
Sandra Williamson, Director for Health Inequalities, Prevention and Regional Collaboration, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board
“Being shortlisted for ‘Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year’ in the HSJ Awards 2022 is a credit to our hardworking and dedicated pharmacy teams across Lincolnshire. The UTI test and treat service truly showcases the ability of community pharmacists to provide essential health services, help free up valuable appointments in general practice, and improve appropriate use of antibiotics in the treatment of suspected UTIs.”
Marc Brooks, Head of Pharmacy at Lincolnshire Co-op
“Dip UTI makes testing and treatment more convenient for women experiencing symptoms of uncomplicated UTI, while releasing GP appointments and helping prevent inappropriate antibiotic use for UTIs. It is a great achievement for the UTI test and treat service to be shortlisted for ‘Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year’ in the HSJ Awards and showcased as an example of best practice.”
Jason Keane, UK General Manager at Healthy.io
“By introducing this new technology women who have symptoms of a UTI are able to be seen, tested and treated safely at a location that is convenient to them, whether that be near home or a work place, without the need to have to contact their GP. In turn, this means that our practice colleagues have more time available to spend treating patients with other conditions. This project has demonstrated the benefits of extended services provided by community pharmacies and the broader opportunities offered by the application of safe and innovative digital tools.”
Dr Sunil Hindocha, Lincolnshire
“On behalf of all my colleagues, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate Lincolnshire ICB, Healthy.io and Lincolnshire Co-Op Pharmacy on being shortlisted as a finalist in the category of Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year. All of the applications represent the ‘very best of the NHS’ and often leave our esteemed panel of judges with an impossible choice!
HSJ editor Alastair McLellan
“Year on year the number of entrants continue to rise which I find so encouraging and is testament to the effect that HSJ Awards can have on improved staff culture and morale.
“We’re all very much looking forward to welcoming our finalists to the awards ceremony in November, celebrating their impressive achievements and jointly acknowledging our values of sharing best practice, improving patient outcomes and continuously driving for better service. But we never forget that the award ceremony is not just a celebration within a night, but a platform to recognise the hard work of all our NHS staff, all year round.”
Now in its 42nd year, the HSJ Awards continues to provide an opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding efforts and achievements that individuals and teams across the health sector deliver on a daily basis.
The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at the Battersea Evolution Centre, London on November 17th 2022.