New data from UKHSA reveals that treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) cost NHS hospitals in England an estimated £604 million in 2023 to 2024
New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) cost NHS hospitals in England an estimated £604 million in 2023-24.
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary system including the urethra, bladder or kidneys.
Most lower urinary tract infections (those in the urethra or bladder) cause mild discomfort and go away on their own, or may require a short course of antibiotics, but for some can progress to more serious infections, including upper urinary tract infections affecting the kidneys, leading to bloodstream infections and sepsis.
ADVERTISEMENT: Fractional Shares, Crypto, Stocks — All on Robinhood
Analysing data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database using the records of patients with a UTI-related primary diagnosis for the 2023 to 2024 financial year in England, there were nearly 200,000 UTI-related patients. This includes infections acquired in both community and hospital settings. Those admissions resulted in 1.2 million bed days, averaging 6 bed days per infection.
However, one-third of UTI patients were in hospital for less than a day, indicating that other treatment pathways could be considered for these patients.
The findings reflect the well-documented burden of UTIs on older people and women. 52.7% of admissions were patients aged over 70 and 61.8% were female. While females were nearly 5 times more likely to require hospital treatment for a UTI in people under 50 years old (24.7% female compared to 5.3% male), this levelled out in age groups over 50 (37.1% female compared to 32.9% male). This highlights the need for men over 50 to also pay early attention to urinary symptoms and seek treatment that may prevent hospitalisation.
Hospitalisations for UTIs were at their lowest in 2020 to 2021 – possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, admissions have increased, climbing by 9% in 2023 to 2024 compared to the previous year.
ADVERTISEMENT: Fractional Shares, Crypto, Stocks — All on Robinhood
The data highlights the clear need to reduce UTIs acquired in the community to help reduce hospitalisations. People can reduce their risk of catching a UTI in the first place by:
Detecting and treating a UTI early is also important. Some of the early symptoms of UTI include:
UKHSA also recently published updated diagnostic flowcharts to help healthcare professionals manage symptoms and infections.
ADVERTISEMENT: Fractional Shares, Crypto, Stocks — All on Robinhood
Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director at UKHSA responsible for antibiotic resistance, said:
Dr Joanna Harris RGN PhD, Head of Infection Prevention and Control at UKHSA, said:
Professor Matt Inada-Kim, National Clinical Director for Infections Management and Antimicrobial Resistance at NHS England, said:
UTIs are typically caused by bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli (E. coli), and often require antibiotics to treat the infection. As UTIs are so common, there are concerns that the volume of antibiotics prescribed is contributing to the growing risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is because every antibiotic taken makes the development of resistance more likely. More targeted prescribing of antimicrobials for UTIs is essential as part of the National Action Plan for AMR 2024-2029. However, preventing infections where possible would also decrease antibiotic prescribing and the selective pressure that antibiotics have on bacteria, helping reduce antibiotic resistance.
ADVERTISEMENT: Fractional Shares, Crypto, Stocks — All on Robinhood
Patient and campaigner, Caroline Sampson, explains how a chronic UTI has impacted her life: