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Walk in or call
Drop in to Qrystal Pharmacy — tell our team you're here for a Pharmacy First UTI consultation. Fully confidential, no booking needed.
NHS Pharmacy First · UTI (Women 16-64)
Free same-day NHS treatment for uncomplicated UTIs.
Burning when you wee, needing to go more often, or feeling unable to fully empty your bladder? Our pharmacists can assess and treat uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 16 to 64 — same day, free on the NHS, no GP appointment needed.
- Free consultationCost
- Same dayWait time
- Women aged 16-64Eligibility
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by bacteria — most commonly E. coli — entering the urethra and multiplying in the bladder. UTIs are very common in women: around half of women will have at least one in their lifetime. Most uncomplicated UTIs in otherwise healthy women clear up quickly with a short course of antibiotics.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, our registered pharmacists at Qrystal Pharmacy in London can assess your symptoms and supply antibiotics (usually nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim) where clinically appropriate — for women aged 16 to 64, without you needing to see your GP first. The consultation is fully confidential and takes place in our private consultation room.
Not every burning sensation needs antibiotics, and some symptoms are better managed differently — our pharmacist uses NHS guidance to distinguish a true UTI from other causes and to spot when something more serious might be going on. We can also offer self-care advice and over-the-counter remedies for milder symptoms.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection
UTI symptoms usually come on quickly — often within 24 hours. The most common signs are:
- Burning, stinging, or pain when passing urine
- Needing to wee more often than usual
- Sudden urgent need to wee, sometimes only passing small amounts
- Feeling unable to fully empty your bladder
- Cloudy, dark, or strong-smelling urine
- Blood in your urine
- Pain or pressure low in the tummy
- Feeling generally unwell, tired, or achy
- Mild fever (in some cases)
- Pain that may be felt in the lower back
When to see us — and when to seek urgent help
Walk in to Pharmacy First if you have:
- Two or more typical UTI symptoms (burning, frequency, urgency, cloudy urine)
- Sudden-onset bladder symptoms in the last few days
- Recurrent symptoms after a previous UTI (and you're not on a long-term plan)
- Mild lower-tummy discomfort with bladder symptoms
Get urgent help (NHS 111 or A&E) if you have:
- Fever (38°C+), shaking, or chills
- Pain in your kidneys (back, just below the ribs)
- Nausea or vomiting alongside UTI symptoms
- Symptoms during pregnancy — please tell us straight away
- Confusion or feeling very unwell (especially in older patients)
- Vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, or pain during sex (may not be a UTI)
Who is eligible for UTI treatment under Pharmacy First?
- Women aged 16 to 64
- Registered with an NHS GP in England
- Symptoms suggesting an uncomplicated lower UTI
- No features suggesting a more serious infection
You're not eligible if:
- Men of any age (UTIs in men need GP assessment as causes can be different)
- Women aged 65 and over (please see your GP — UTIs over 65 often need different management)
- Pregnant women — please tell us; we'll usually still help but pathway differs
- Women with suspected kidney infection (flank pain, fever) — urgent referral
- Women with recurrent UTIs (more than 2 in 6 months or 3 in a year) — may need GP review
- Catheterised patients
How the consultation works
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Private clinical assessment
Our pharmacist takes your symptom history in our private consultation room and rules out features that suggest something more serious.
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Treatment plan
If a UTI is likely: antibiotics (usually nitrofurantoin for 3 days) supplied on the spot. Plus self-care advice on fluids, paracetamol/ibuprofen, and prevention.
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Records to your GP
With your consent we share a consultation summary electronically with your GP for joined-up records.
What's included
- Confidential clinical assessment by a registered pharmacist
- Private consultation room
- Antibiotic prescription (usually nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim) where appropriate
- Pain-relief and hydration advice
- Prevention advice for future UTIs
- Onward referral to GP or A&E if signs of complicated or upper UTI
- Electronic record sent securely to your GP
Other Pharmacy First conditions we can treat
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Acute sinus pain and pressure assessed and treated for adults and children aged 12 and over.
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Same-day NHS assessment using the FeverPAIN score, antibiotics where appropriate.
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Fast antiviral treatment for the painful shingles rash — best started within 72 hours.
Read moreUTI — frequently asked questions
Will I be given antibiotics straight away?
If your symptoms strongly suggest a UTI and there are no red-flag features, yes — usually nitrofurantoin for 3 days. If symptoms are mild or atypical, we may suggest a urine dipstick or watchful waiting with strong self-care advice, and review you if symptoms persist or worsen.
How quickly will antibiotics work?
Most women feel significantly better within 24-48 hours of starting antibiotics. Always complete the full 3-day course even if you feel better, to make sure the infection is fully cleared. If you're not improving by day 3, come back — we may need to change antibiotic or send a urine sample.
What can I do at home alongside antibiotics?
Drink plenty of water (aim for 2-3 litres a day) to flush the bladder. Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Wee when you need to rather than holding on. A hot-water bottle on your tummy can help. Avoid sex until symptoms have settled.
Can men use this service?
No — Pharmacy First UTI is for women aged 16-64 only. UTIs in men are less common, often have different underlying causes (such as prostate issues), and need GP assessment. We can advise you but will refer you on.
What about women over 65?
UTIs over 65 need different management — symptoms can be less typical, and there's a higher risk of complications. Please see your GP rather than using Pharmacy First. We can call them or NHS 111 on your behalf if needed.
I'm pregnant — can I still get treatment?
We can sometimes treat UTIs in pregnancy under Pharmacy First, but the pathway and antibiotic choice differ (some antibiotics aren't safe in pregnancy). Please tell us straight away that you're pregnant. We may refer you to your GP or midwifery team — UTIs in pregnancy need careful management.
How can I prevent UTIs?
Drink plenty of fluids; wipe front-to-back; empty your bladder soon after sex; avoid scented hygiene products around the genitals; wear cotton underwear; and don't hold on too long when you need to wee. Cranberry products have weak evidence — they may help some women but aren't first-line.
What if I keep getting UTIs?
If you have 2 or more UTIs in 6 months or 3 or more in a year, that's recurrent UTI and Pharmacy First isn't the right pathway. Please see your GP — there are dedicated treatments and investigations (sometimes a referral to urology or gynaecology) that can help. We can help arrange this.
Is the consultation confidential?
Yes — consultations happen in our private consultation room, separate from the dispensing area. With your consent we share a summary with your GP for joined-up records, but it does not go anywhere else.
Burning when you wee?
Walk into Qrystal Pharmacy for a free NHS Pharmacy First UTI consultation — confidential, same day, no GP appointment needed.