The decision whether to go or not should be based on the weather, regulations, and your limitations. It may be that the tasking agency isn't well versed in anything helicopter. I consider that I may be the helicopter authority while talking to the tasking agency, and as such should assist them in the risk analysis.
The patient's condition should be known by the pilot, not necessarily to substantiate delaying or refusing a mission, but to be best suited to plan the mission.
If the patient has heart attack symptoms, time on scene is paramount. If the patient is severely burnt, a longer trip to a burn center may be required, so extra fuel and a slower speed will be accepted.
In any case, there should be no question what the authority of the tasking agency is and what rights you as the pilot have to refuse missions.
[ 15 January 2002: Message edited by: heedm ]</p>