SOUTH Australian could be the next jurisdiction to implement a trial of a pharmacy-based urinary tract infection (UTI) treatment program, pending the findings of a Parliamentary inquiry this week.
A Select Committee investigating Access to UTI Treatment in South Australia was set up last week, and is due to report on Thu (08 Dec).
Proposing the formation of the committee, Labor MP, Jayne Stinson, said it should inquire into the barriers patients with UTIs face in gaining timely access to treatment, and the applicability of implementing Queensland's UTI community pharmacy service in South Australia.
"Currently, sufferers must book an appointment with a GP to obtain a script for medication and then have that filled at the pharmacy," she said.
"For many people, this can mean days of pain and discomfort before securing an appointment and the effective treatment."
Stinson noted that Australian Medical Association data showed that on average both male and female GPs have been trending toward fewer hours per worker, exacerbating the existing shortage of GPs.
She said that while the State Government was working to boost GP numbers, she said further steps needed to be taken.
"In reality, in the real world in which we are living, there is not going to be a new flood of GPs within weeks or months," she said.
"In those weeks and months and years, more women are suffering an uncomplicated UTI that could possibly be treated faster in consultation with their pharmacist.
"I am interested in their needs in the reality of this world right now."
Stinson has been appointed to Chair the committee, which includes Labor's Sarah Andrews and Catherine Hutchesson and Liberal Party frontbenchers, Penny Pratt and David Pisoni.
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