A smartphone urine test for women with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) has been developed by Healthy.io.

The Velieve service uses a smartphone camera to help diagnose UTIs in just minutes and can deliver antibiotics to a patient’s door within a few hours.

Traditionally, women suffering from a UTI need to secure a GP appointment for treatment and if they are prescribed antibiotics, they need to pick the medication up from a pharmacist.

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Velieve service can allow women to get a urine test without having to leave the house.

Katherine Ward, Healthy.io’s UK managing director said: “Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need for home testing. That’s why we are thrilled to offer this service to women suffering from UTIs in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.”

“Healthy.io has a strong history of providing women UTI test-and-treat services and working with retail and NHS partners to bring these products to as many women as possible. Now, Velieve can help women test and treat UTIs without leaving their homes and helps reduce the burden on an already-stretched NHS dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Velieve is effective and safe as well as simple and easy to use, with results analysed by a remote clinician and a virtual nurse guiding women throughout the process. ”

Velieve is the second UTI test-and-treat service offered by Healthy.io. The company launched its pharmacy first test-and-treat service in 2019, which is available at 1,600 retail pharmacies across the UK.

A smartphone app which allows kidney transplant patients to monitor their risk of infection after surgery from the comfort of their own home is also being trialled in Salford.