Primary Options for Acute and Coordinated Community Care Across the Auckland Region
POAC gives healthcare professionals across Metro Auckland fast access to funded community-based investigation, treatment and care — helping patients get the right care in the right place, avoiding unnecessary hospital referrals and acute admissions, and supporting shorter stays where hospital care is needed.
Where to start
See below range of options and services provided. If in doubt, contact us referral@poac.co.nz
Services
Acute care, hospital-supported discharge, LARC, Ferinject and other funded programmes.
Browse services →Clinical Conditions
Referral criteria by presentation — DVT, cellulitis, pyelonephritis, abscess and more.
Browse conditions →Radiology
Ultrasound, X-ray and CT criteria, with the referral process for each scan type.
Browse radiology →Online Forms
Submit a radiology, home supports or residential care referral directly.
Go to forms →Common pathways
View all clinical conditions →DVT
24–48 hrsCommunity ultrasound for suspected DVT — Wells score, d-dimer or specific presentations.
CT KUB
24–48 hrsAdult referral criteria for suspected renal colic and stone disease.
Cellulitis
AcuteCommunity IV antibiotic management as an alternative to hospital admission.
Pyelonephritis
AcuteCriteria for community management and when imaging is indicated.
Abscess
AcuteDrainage and management pathway, including when ultrasound is warranted.
Ultrasound (all types)
24–48 hrsFull criteria by scan type — abdomen, breast, carotid, pelvis, renal, scrotum, soft tissue.
How to refer
Check the pathway
Confirm the patient meets funding criteria for the relevant condition or scan on the clinical conditions or radiology pages.
Submit the referral
Use your PMS POAC form with the correct diagnosis code, or submit the matching online form directly.
POAC coordinates care
Our team arranges the booking and contacts you and the patient with confirmed details.
All POAC referrals and claims are subject to the applicable terms and conditions of use. Refer to the POAC Claiming Schedule for funding and claiming information.
Need to discuss a case?
Our referral team is available Monday to Friday for case discussion, urgent queries or help finding the right pathway.