Few things are as uncomfortable, or as urgent, as a urinary tract infection. The burning, the constant need to go, the discomfort that impacts on normal activities: when affected by a UTI, you want testing and treatment today, not to wait for a week on a waiting list.
At Wimbledon Medical Service, our private GP team offers same-day UTI appointments at our Wimbledon Village clinic, with on-the-spot urine testing and antibiotics prescribed at your appointment where they are needed. If you cannot come in, video consultations are available to assess whether a UTI test may be needed. And if UTIs keep coming back, we will do more than treat the infection in front of us: we will take the time to find out why.
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection anywhere in the urinary system: the bladder, urethra or kidneys. Most are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, and most affect the bladder, where the infection is known as cystitis. According to the NHS, UTIs are among the most common infections seen by GPs, affecting women far more often than men, though anyone can get one.
The main types are:
Cystitis: a bladder infection, the most common form of UTI
Urethritis: infection or inflammation of the urethra
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis): a more serious infection that needs prompt treatment
Symptoms of a UTI
UTI symptoms usually come on quickly. The most common are:
Pain, stinging or burning when you pass urine
Needing to urinate more often or more urgently than usual, often with little to show for it
Cloudy, dark or strong-smelling urine
Blood in your urine
Pain low in your tummy or in your lower back
Feeling generally tired, achy or unwell
In older adults, a UTI can also cause new confusion or agitation. A high temperature, shivering, nausea or pain in your side or lower back can be signs the infection has reached the kidneys. This needs medical attention the same day.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Most UTIs happen when bacteria, often E. coli from the bowel, enter the urethra and travel up into the bladder. Women are more prone to UTIs because the urethra is shorter and closer to the bowel. Common risk factors include sexual activity, pregnancy, menopause (falling oestrogen changes the balance of protective bacteria), conditions such as diabetes, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate in men, dehydration, and using a catheter.
If you are getting UTIs repeatedly (usually defined as two infections in six months or three in a year), it is worth a proper assessment rather than repeated one-off courses of antibiotics. Recurrent infection often has an underlying cause that can be treated.
How We Diagnose a UTI
Diagnosis is usually quick. During your private GP consultation, your GP will ask about your symptoms and test a urine sample in clinic, with results in minutes. We can also send a sample for laboratory culture to identify the exact bacteria and the antibiotics it is sensitive to, with results typically back within 2-3 days.
For recurrent UTIs, we may also recommend blood tests to check kidney function and screen for contributing conditions such as diabetes, and we can arrange prompt referral to a urologist or gynaecologist where specialist investigation is appropriate.
UTI Treatment at Wimbledon Medical Service
Treatment is tailored to you, in line with NICE guidance:
Same-day antibiotics: where a UTI is confirmed or strongly suspected, a private prescription is issued at your appointment, so you can start treatment within hours of booking
Symptom relief advice: pain relief, fluids and practical measures to ease discomfort while the antibiotics take effect
Recurrent UTI management: a structured plan that may include preventative antibiotic strategies, topical oestrogen for post-menopausal women, and lifestyle measures that actually work
Specialist referral: fast-tracked referral to trusted urologists or gynaecologists if investigations suggest an underlying problem
Follow-up with the same GP: so if symptoms persist or return, you are not starting from scratch
For women experiencing recurrent infections around the menopause, our GPs with menopause expertise can address the hormonal side of the problem too, something a standard urgent-care appointment rarely has time for.
When to See a GP About a UTI
See a GP if UTI symptoms last more than a day or two, are severe, or have not improved within 48 hours of starting antibiotics. Men, pregnant women and children with UTI symptoms should always be assessed by a doctor rather than self-treating, in line with NHS advice on cystitis.
Untreated, a bladder infection can spread to the kidneys and become serious. Prompt treatment is both the safest and the most comfortable option. If you are unsure, contact our team and we will point you in the right direction.
Why Choose Wimbledon Medical Service?
We are a not-for-profit private GP practice in the heart of Wimbledon Village, built around the belief that good medicine starts with time to listen. For UTI care, that means:
Same-day appointments: in clinic or by video, with urine testing on site
Antibiotics without the wait: prescriptions issued at your appointment when clinically appropriate
Proper answers for recurrent UTIs: unhurried 20–60 minute consultations with an experienced GP who looks for the cause, not just the symptom
Discreet, comfortable care: a calm private clinic designed around your privacy
No membership fees: book when you need us, alongside your NHS GP; our patient FAQs explain how it works
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get same-day treatment for a UTI in Wimbledon?
Yes. We hold same-day appointments at our clinic at 39 Church Road, Wimbledon Village. Your urine can be tested during the appointment and, where appropriate, antibiotics prescribed on the spot so you can start treatment straight away.
Will a UTI go away on its own?
Mild cystitis sometimes clears within a few days with rest and fluids. But if symptoms are severe, lasting more than two days, or you are pregnant, male or have a fever, see a GP, as untreated infections can spread to the kidneys.
How quickly do antibiotics work for a UTI?
Most people feel noticeably better within 24 to 48 hours of starting the right antibiotic, though it is important to finish the full course. If you are not improving after 48 hours, come back, as you may need a urine culture and a different antibiotic.
Why do I keep getting UTIs?
Recurrent UTIs (two in six months or three in a year) can be driven by hormonal changes around menopause, sexual activity, incomplete bladder emptying, diabetes or other underlying issues. A proper assessment, urine culture and targeted prevention plan can break the cycle for most people.
What is the difference between cystitis and a UTI?
Cystitis is a type of UTI: specifically, an infection or inflammation of the bladder. "UTI" covers infection anywhere in the urinary tract, including the urethra and, more seriously, the kidneys.
Can men get UTIs?
Yes, though less commonly than women. UTIs in men should always be assessed by a GP, as they are more likely to involve an underlying cause such as an enlarged prostate that deserves investigation.
Can I have a UTI appointment by video?
Yes. Many UTIs in otherwise healthy women can be safely assessed and treated by video consultation, with a prescription sent to your pharmacy. Your GP will ask you to come in if an examination or urine test is needed.
How much does private UTI treatment cost?
A standard 20-minute private GP consultation is £110, which includes your clinical assessment and in-clinic urine testing where needed. Private prescriptions and laboratory cult
Feel Better by Tonight, Not Next Week
A UTI rarely improves by being ignored, and you should not have to wait days for something that can be diagnosed in minutes. Book a same-day UTI appointment at Wimbledon Medical Service now, or call 020 8153 4239 and our team will fit you in.