HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
In Canterbury, we have a programme specifically to help treat people in their own home and prevent them from becoming so unwell they have to go to hospital. This programme is called Acute Demand (it's also known as Acute Demand Management Services, or ADMS).
An acute condition is one that comes on quickly. So, this service is for people who suddenly become unwell, but can safely get the treatment or tests they need without having to go to hospital.
For example, some people with cellulitis, DVT, chest pain, pneumonia, COPD, migraine, pyelonephritis (kidney infection) and dehydration may get this care.
If you become unwell but can safely be treated outside hospital, your general practice team may refer you to Acute Demand. A member of the Acute Demand team will then contact you to explain what care is available to you.
Your own general practice team will continue to look after you while you're receiving care under Acute Demand.
Acute Demand brings together many different services to support your general practice team and offer you care at home.
By working together, they can provide:
Sometimes people who receive Acute Demand care will need to go to hospital because they become too ill. If this happens, the Acute Demand team and your own general practice team will refer you to the hospital.
Acute Demand makes it possible for people to get the urgent care they need without going to hospital. It also frees up the hospital Emergency Department to deal with emergencies.
Written by Acute Demand medical officer, Canterbury DHB. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2022.
Review key: HIADS-15354