A world-renowned helicopter emergency specialist is making the case for doctors to be on all air ambulance flights, to save more lives.
At the moment this country requires only paramedics to be on fixed-wing or helicopter call-outs.
But Dr Tim Parke, who initiated the Auckland Rescue Helicopter emergency medicine service model - says interprofessional teams, led by physicians, have a 20 percent lower mortality rate than those that don't.
Health New Zealand and ACC are currently re-writing protocols for emergency flights.
Dr Parke wants them to require both a paramedic and doctor for all services. He is based in Glasgow but worked at Auckland Hospital for seven years.
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