A new state reform means NSW residents will be able to receive treatment for urinary tract infections through their local pharmacy.

Following a successful trial that began in November 2022, pharmacists will now have the ability to provide consultations and prescriptions for urinary tract infections (UTI) from 1 June.

The reforms will likely have a large effect on those living regional communities, who experience longer wait lists and travel times.

Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor said the permanent changes will significantly improve healthcare accessibility and relieve pressure on emergency departments and general practitioners (GPs).

The initial trial benefitted more than 16,000 women and Mrs Taylor said it reinforced the need to trust and empower pharmacists to work their full scope of practice.

Coonabarabran pharmacist, Emma Doel and newly-appointed Baradine pharmacist, Doug King have both completed the training necessary to provide UTI medication.

Ms Doel said patients must meet certain criteria in order to receive the medication and the infection must not be considered complex.

“It’s not like consulting with a doctor, where if you have a chest infection and a UTI they can prescribe an antibiotic for both. We have to meet certain guidelines,” Ms Doel said.

“A pharmacist can provide reassurance – we can treat skin conditions, fevers and the scope of what we can treat is widening, which benefits us out here because of the doctor shortage.”

Doctor shortages have led to long wait times, increasing the risk of worsening infections for those with UTIs.

Mr King said the effects of the doctor shortage can be seen throughout all areas of healthcare, including pharmacies.

He said he was happy pharmacists could do more to help people, however, there was uncertainty in fragmenting the duty of care across the various health sectors.

“It’s a bit of a vexed one. A GP is the coordinator of care and that model of care is no longer as practical as it once was, due to the doctor shortage,” Mr King said.

“The roll out was rushed and I feel like this initiative puts a bandaid on the wider issue at hand.

“Overall, the risk of fragmenting the capability of care is small compared to the risk of untimely treatment towards UTI’s. It does provide an additional outlet when doctors are not viable.”

Both Mr King and Ms Doel emphasised the importance of patients seeing a doctor, on top of their pharmaceutical analysis.

The NSW Pharmacy trial also included the prescription of the oral contraceptive pill for eligible women.

Women between the age of 18-35 were considered eligible and they were required to have been prescribed the pill within the last two years.

IMAGE: Coonabarabran Alliance Pharmacy team members Abigail Walden, Donna Richards, pharmacist, Emma Doel, Fiona Selmes and Jacq Riordan.