At-home 'Test and Treat' service launched for suspected UTIs

Medtech enterprise TestCard, has launched a new ‘Test and Treat’ service using its at-home UTI test kit, in partnership with Dears Pharmacy.

Figures show the waiting times for UTI treatment on the NHS can be between 3-5 days, and undiagnosed UTIs have increased during the pandemic due to the limited access to GP appointments, according to medical experts.

Now as part of TestCard’s new Test and Treat service, waiting times could be cut to as little as 24 hours.

TestCard turns a smartphone camera into a clinical grade scanner, which along with its postcard test kit provides immediate results and a treatment referral where indicated.

The new Test and Treat service, in partnership with Dears Pharmacy, allows users to test for a UTI at home and, if they receive a positive result, order a consultation and prescription medication from the pharmacy.

The TestCard app provides answers as to whether a UTI has been detected, along with guidance and support.

Retailing at £12 for two tests and a free-to-download mobile application (available on iOS and Android), the TestCard solution is designed to be both affordable and accessible - to help reduce strain on the NHS and save time for both healthcare professionals and patients.

Dr Andrew Botham, co-founder & CSO at TestCard, said: “We are very excited to be launching a new partnership with Dears Pharmacy. A long-lasting impact of the pandemic is going to be a change in the way people access healthcare, with the shift to at-home medical testing increasing. TestCard is able to provide alternative routes to important treatment for those that need it.

“Our aim is to make testing fast, accurate, and accessible for all. Our app provides clear results and next steps with no confusing medical jargon. A Dears pharmacist, or other healthcare professional, can then use the detailed analysis to decide how best to treat you.”

Mahyar Nickkho-Amiry, managing director & superintendent pharmacist at Dears Pharmacy, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with TestCard to support patients as part of their new at-home UTI Test and Treat service which is easy, accessible and convenient, and will also help to reduce the pressure on GP services.

“UTIs are a common complaint and can often present with symptoms of pain on passing urine, needing to pee more often and needing to get to the toilet more urgently. The urine itself may look cloudy or smell more than usual. TestCard customers will now have the convenience to get treatment directly through the TestCard app with Dears Pharmacy as their treatment provider for added convenience. 

“By using TestCard, customers now have an option to check if their urinary symptoms are likely to be a UTI. However, always speak to your doctor straight away if you have symptoms of a more serious infection, such as a high temperature, severe pain or blood in the urine.”