ABC News Online
Review urged for helicopter rescue missions
There has been a call for a review into the use of in-flight medical missions in the wake of last Friday's rescue helicopter crash off Mackay which claimed the lives of three men.
Doctors and medical specialists have questioned what they feel is the over use of Air Rescue helicopters and small planes for relatively minor emergencies.
Australian Doctors Fund Queensland chairman, Dr Chris Alroe, says a better risk assessment plan must be implemented to avoid the senseless loss of life.
"It's not good procedure to take single engine helicopters across large bodies of water," he said.
"Alternative means of ground or sea transport should be employed before we take these risks. All of this is causing a degrading of regional health services, what we need to do is rethink the whole process."