Hospital Emergency Department Voucher System
To support timely and appropriate care for lower-acuity patients presenting to Emergency Departments, a voucher system is in place to enable redirection to approved Urgent Care Clinics. This includes POAC-funded access to same-day radiology services when clinically indicated.
North Shore Hospital & Waitakere Hospital
Emergency Q App is used by North Shore Hospital and Waitakere Hospital to redirect suitable patients to the following approved Urgent Care Clinics:
White Cross Henderson
White Cross New Lynn
Shorecare Smales Farm
Radiology Services
POAC may provide funding for urgent, same-day radiology services, including ACC surcharges for acute X-rays.
To request funded radiology:
Generate the radiology request form as usual.
Clearly state “POAC funded” on the referral.
Include the Emergency Q voucher number.
Radiology providers will invoice POAC directly.
No POAC referral is required. No admin fee is claimable.
Routine, non-urgent radiology is not included.
Auckland City Hospital
As of May 2025, a paper voucher system (separate from the Emergency Q app) is in use to redirect eligible patients from Auckland City Hospital Emergency Department to:
White Cross Ascot
Patients attend White Cross Ascot with a paper voucher that includes brief clinical information. No voucher number is provided. Vouchers are valid for 24 hours only.
Radiology Services
If acute radiology is required:
Create a POAC case using the standard process.
Use code: WX Ascot ED Voucher.
Refer the patient to Astra Radiology.
Astra Radiology will invoice POAC directly, including for any ACC co-payments
Ongoing Acute Care
If the patient requires ongoing acute services normally funded by POAC (e.g. IV fluids, IV antibiotics), it may be reasonable to create a POAC referral for the extended and ongoing care.
The initial management of the patient is funded by Health NZ and should not be claimed under POAC.
Important Notes
POAC funding applies only to urgent, same-day imaging or appropriate ongoing care post-ED redirection.
Routine or non-urgent radiology requests should continue to be made via Access to Diagnostics or eReferral, and are not funded under POAC.