Free same-day UTI treatment for women in Putney

If you are experiencing the burning, urgency, and discomfort of a urinary tract infection, you should not have to wait days for a GP appointment to get the treatment you need. UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections in women — and when left untreated, they can progress from an uncomfortable lower urinary tract infection to a more serious kidney infection.

At Husbands Pharmacy in Putney, our qualified pharmacists can assess and treat urinary tract infections in women on the same day through the NHS Pharmacy First service, completely free of charge. No GP appointment is needed, no referral is required, and antibiotic treatment can be supplied directly by our pharmacist where clinically appropriate.

What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection affecting any part of the urinary tract — which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. The vast majority of UTIs are lower urinary tract infections, meaning they affect the bladder and urethra. This type of infection is also commonly known as cystitis.

UTIs are caused when bacteria — most commonly Escherichia coli (E. coli) from the digestive tract — enter the urethra and travel upward into the bladder. Women are significantly more likely to develop UTIs than men, primarily because the female urethra is shorter and positioned closer to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.

It is estimated that more than half of all women will experience at least one UTI during their lifetime, and many women experience recurrent infections. UTIs are particularly common following sexual activity, during pregnancy, and after the menopause — when hormonal changes can affect the protective lining of the urinary tract.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

The symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection are usually distinctive and recognisable, particularly for women who have experienced one before. Common symptoms include:

• A burning or stinging sensation when urinating
• A frequent and urgent need to urinate, even when the bladder is nearly empty
• Passing only small amounts of urine despite the sensation of urgency
• Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
• Discomfort or pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvis
• Blood in the urine — haematuria — which may cause the urine to appear pink or red

Symptoms are typically confined to the lower urinary tract in uncomplicated cases. If you develop symptoms affecting the upper urinary tract — including the kidneys — you require more urgent assessment (see the urgent care section below).

What increases the risk of a UTI?

While any woman can develop a UTI, certain factors increase the likelihood of infection. These include:

• Sexual activity — bacteria can be introduced to the urethra during intercourse, which is why UTIs are sometimes referred to colloquially as “honeymoon cystitis”
• Use of certain contraceptives — diaphragms and spermicide-containing products can disrupt the natural bacterial balance of the vaginal area
• Menopause — reduced oestrogen levels after menopause lead to changes in the urinary tract lining that increase susceptibility to infection
• Pregnancy — hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy increase UTI risk and make prompt treatment particularly important
• Urinary catheters — catheters provide a direct route for bacteria to enter the bladder
• Diabetes — elevated blood sugar levels and immune system changes increase infection risk
• A history of recurrent UTIs — some women are simply more prone to UTIs due to anatomical or immunological factors
• Incomplete bladder emptying — caused by conditions such as bladder prolapse or neurological disorders

Our pharmacists will take a brief history at the time of consultation to identify any relevant risk factors that may influence the most appropriate treatment approach.

How NHS Pharmacy First can help with UTIs

Through the NHS Pharmacy First service, our Putney pharmacists are trained and authorised to assess and treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women without the need for a GP appointment.

Our pharmacist will conduct a clinical assessment — including a review of your symptoms, a brief medical history, and where appropriate, a urine dipstick test — to confirm the diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.

For confirmed uncomplicated lower UTIs, treatment typically involves:

• Oral antibiotic treatment — most commonly nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim, depending on your individual medical history, any known allergies, and local antibiotic resistance pattern.
• Advice on hydration and self-care measures to support recovery and reduce discomfort while antibiotics take effect
• Guidance on symptom relief — including the use of over-the-counter urinary alkalinising sachets to reduce the burning sensation
• Information on prevention — including practical steps to reduce the likelihood of recurrence
• Advice on when symptoms should be expected to improve and clear guidance on when to seek further medical attention
• Referral to a GP where the presentation suggests a complicated UTI, upper urinary tract involvement, or a condition outside the scope of the Pharmacy First service

All prescription medication supplied through the Pharmacy First service is free of charge on the NHS.

Who is eligible for UTI treatment through Pharmacy First?

The NHS Pharmacy First UTI pathway is available to women aged 16 to 64. The service is designed for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections — cystitis — in otherwise healthy women who are not pregnant.

You do not need to be registered with a local GP to access the service, and no referral is required.

The service is not appropriate for the following presentations, all of which require GP assessment:

• Women who are pregnant — UTIs during pregnancy carry an increased risk of complications and require careful management and follow-up
• Women aged under 16 or over 64 — these groups have a higher risk of atypical or complicated UTIs that are better managed by a GP
• Women with symptoms suggesting upper urinary tract involvement — including fever, loin pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Women with recurrent UTIs — defined as two or more infections in six months, or three or more in twelve months — who may require further investigation
• Women with known structural or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract
• Women who are immunocompromised or have significant underlying health conditions affecting UTI management

Our pharmacists will always advise on the most appropriate pathway if your presentation falls outside the scope of the Pharmacy First service.

When should I seek urgent care instead?

An uncomplicated lower UTI, while uncomfortable, is rarely dangerous when treated promptly. However, certain symptoms indicate that the infection may have spread to the kidneys — a condition called pyelonephritis — which requires more urgent medical assessment and treatment. Seek urgent care by contacting your GP, calling NHS 111, or attending A&E if you develop:

• A high fever (above 38°C) or chills and shaking
• Pain in your back, sides, or flanks — particularly if felt below the ribs on one or both sides
• Nausea or vomiting alongside urinary symptoms
• Symptoms that have not improved after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment
• Blood in the urine alongside fever or feeling very unwell
• Symptoms of sepsis — including extreme confusion, rapid breathing, or mottled skin

Kidney infections require a longer course of antibiotics than lower UTIs and in some cases require hospital admission. Do not delay seeking care if you develop any of these symptoms.

Why choose Husbands Pharmacy in Putney?

Women across Putney and South West London choose Husbands Pharmacy for fast, discreet, and professional UTI assessment and treatment. Here is why:

Same-day appointments available. UTI symptoms can be acutely uncomfortable and impact your ability to work, exercise, and sleep. We offer same-day availability so you receive treatment without delay.

Discreet and private consultations. All Pharmacy First consultations take place in a dedicated private consultation room. You will never be asked to discuss personal symptoms at the dispensary counter.

Urine dipstick testing available. Where clinically appropriate, our pharmacists can conduct an on-the-spot urine dipstick test to support the diagnosis and ensure the most accurate treatment decision.

Prescription antibiotics supplied immediately. If antibiotic treatment is indicated, our pharmacist can supply it on the spot — no need to visit a GP surgery or wait for a prescription to be issued and dispensed elsewhere.

Completely free on the NHS. Both the consultation and any prescribed antibiotic medication are free of charge for eligible NHS patients.

Prevention advice included. Our pharmacists will provide practical, evidence-based advice on reducing the risk of recurrent UTIs — an important consideration for women who experience frequent infections.

No GP registration required. You do not need to be registered with a Putney GP practice to access this service.

How to book your UTI consultation in Putney

1. Check your symptoms. If you are experiencing burning on urination, urinary frequency or urgency, or other symptoms consistent with a lower UTI, the Pharmacy First service can help.
2. Check your eligibility. The service is available to women aged 16 to 64 who are not pregnant and do not have symptoms of a kidney infection.
3. Book your appointment. Use our online booking system to arrange a same-day or next-available appointment at Husbands Pharmacy Putney.
4. Attend your consultation. Our pharmacist will conduct a private clinical assessment, which may include a urine dipstick test, and confirm the most appropriate treatment.
5. Receive your treatment. Antibiotic treatment will be supplied on the same day where clinically appropriate, free of charge on the NHS.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be treated for a UTI without a urine test?
In many cases, yes. A clinical diagnosis of an uncomplicated lower UTI in a woman can be made based on symptoms alone, in line with NICE guidelines. A urine dipstick test may be used to support the diagnosis where there is clinical uncertainty, but it is not always required for treatment to be initiated.

Will I always be given antibiotics?
Antibiotic treatment is the standard and most effective management for bacterial UTIs. However, very mild presentations with minimal symptoms may be suitable for a watchful waiting approach with self-care measures. Our pharmacist will advise on the most appropriate approach for your specific presentation.

I have had many UTIs before and know what they feel like — can I just get antibiotics quickly?
Our pharmacists understand that women with recurrent UTIs are often very accurate at self-diagnosing. A brief clinical assessment is still required as part of the Pharmacy First service, but for straightforward presentations the consultation is typically quick and efficient.

Can UTIs go away without antibiotics?
Some very mild lower UTIs may resolve without antibiotic treatment, particularly with good hydration. However, the risk of an untreated UTI progressing to a kidney infection means that antibiotic treatment is recommended in the majority of cases. Our pharmacist will advise based on the severity of your symptoms.

What can I do to prevent UTIs recurring?
Evidence-based prevention measures include staying well hydrated, urinating promptly after sexual intercourse, wiping from front to back, avoiding the routine use of intimate hygiene products that can disrupt the natural bacterial balance, and wearing breathable underwear. Some women benefit from prophylactic antibiotic treatment or vaginal oestrogen cream — particularly post-menopausal women. Our pharmacist can discuss these options and advise on whether a GP referral for longer-term prevention strategies would be beneficial.

Is cranberry juice effective for UTIs?
The evidence for cranberry products in UTI prevention is limited and mixed. While cranberry juice and supplements are unlikely to be harmful, they should not be relied upon as an alternative to antibiotic treatment for an active infection. Our pharmacist will provide evidence-based advice on prevention strategies that are most likely to be effective for your circumstances.

What if my symptoms do not improve after starting antibiotics?
If your symptoms have not improved after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment, contact us or your GP. This may indicate antibiotic resistance, a different causative organism, or a more complex infection requiring further investigation.

Is this service available at weekends?
Please check our current opening hours on the Husbands Pharmacy website or contact our Putney branch directly for weekend and Bank Holiday availability.

Book your free UTI consultation in Putney today

Do not let a UTI disrupt your day. Husbands Pharmacy in Putney provides fast, free, discreet, and clinically professional same-day UTI consultations for women — no GP appointment required, no referral needed.

Book or call our Putney branch to speak with our pharmacy team today.

Husbands Pharmacy Putney — delivering NHS Pharmacy First care across South West London.