The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing hydration fluids. The invention allows for a ‘background’ rate of providing a hydration fluid to be automatically supplied by an apparatus to a patient for example intravenously and for the patient to receive an extra amount of hydration fluid or ‘bolus dose’ to be provided when the patient sends a signal to the apparatus. In preferred embodiments the background supply rate the volume and rate of supply of the bolus dose and the maximum extra volume that can be provided as bolus doses in a given time can be set for example by a nurse.
