Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often referred to as bladder infections, as that is the organ they most commonly affect. But they can also affect your kidneys or urethra [1]. Seeing a doctor as quickly as possible is advised, as UTIs can progress quickly and can become severe if not treated correctly. This is a case of not waiting and seeing if your symptoms improve, especially if you have had recurring infections or belong to an otherwise vulnerable group. If you are in any doubt about your symptoms and can’t get to your GP in a hurry – if it’s after-hours or you are travelling, for example -, consult a telehealth service or head to your nearest open pharmacy straight away.
Virtual UTI Care in Australia
Virtual UTI Care in Australia
How to Get Quick Online Help for a Suspected UTI
Bulkbilled Assistance
The best option is, of course, to see your (or any other) GP in person, as they can do a urine test and do a physical assessment. This helps determine the site and type of the infection. But failing this, you can check out HealthDirect’s service finder [3] for bulk-billing telehealth-offering GP clinics. 13SICK and Abby Health are two fully bulk-billed providers, but wait times can sometimes be several hours. Some premium providers like Prime Medic also offer bulk-billing, and their live chat customer support will be able to advise you on availability instantly.
Private Assistance
There are plenty of telehealth services out there offering appointments within 15 minutes, which may be the best option for you to prevent your UTI from worsening.
MediCompare has a full list and in-depth reviews of Australian providers. Here are some of the fastest private services (all times in AEST unless otherwise indicated):
The most senior doctors to help with urgent care can be found on MyEmergencyDr 24/7. It’s one of the more expensive options, but perhaps your best bet if you are worried about symptoms progressing fast. (And cannot get to the nearest A&E within the next hour or so.)
If you are looking to wait no longer than 15 minutes to connect with a GP, you could try the 24/7 Hola Health, Instant Consult, which is open from 6 am to midnight, or Our Sage between 7 am and 11 pm. Another option for GP appointments is Private Medical Net, which covers the hours between 8 am and 8 pm (your timezone) or TeleDoc Australia between 9 am and 10 pm.
Other telehealth services offer 15 15-minute wait for an appointment with an AHPRA-registered health professional, which can still offer sufficient care, provided your UTI is in its infancy. These providers include: Qoctor, which is open from 8 am to midnight, MyTelehealthClinic with open appointments from 8 am to 8 pm, and Teldoc Australia, which offers advice between 9 am to 7 pm.
How to Pick the Right Provider for You
Other than the treating physician's qualifications and the service’s opening hours, you may also want to take into account pricing, if you need to download an app, and whether the service assists with getting your medication. Chances are you may require an antibiotic to treat your UTI successfully and prevent recurrence [2].
How to Get Your Medication
Make sure you double-check all details of the eScript with the treating doctor while you are still on the call. This includes your Medicare Number, the correct spelling of your name, and the medication prescribed. You should also make sure you understand the dosage and what to do if symptoms persist or worsen.
Some services send the token for your eScript to your phone, while others can send it directly to your nearest pharmacy. Make sure you double-check those details, too. The provider may be able to help you find your nearest open pharmacy,, or you can search on Find a Pharmacy [4] or check out a list of nearest late-night pharmacies by state here [5].
Finally, check with your treating physician whether you should book in for a follow-up with your own GP. While this may not be top of your mind right now, also ask them to forward your medical record to your GP to ensure you can get better continuity of care. Getting a UTI puts you at a higher risk of developing future UTIs [2], so make sure you are covered.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It is independently researched and fact-checked, but does not represent medical advice. For support with medical questions or conditions, please contact your primary care provider. Telehealth can assist you when other care is not available and you aren’t suffering from any serious medical condition.