A district health board member is reported to have launched severe criticism against a safety crackdown that would not permit the rescue helicopters from landing directly at Waikato Hospital- except in emergencies.

Such a crackdown is totally not acceptable as it can render patients' lives in jeopardy, posts a former Director of the hospital's intensive care unit.

This check on red tape is in compliance with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules, which mandate that all helicopters are required to fulfill special conditions prior to approaching, hovering and even before taking off over buildings areas near a helipad.

In addition, the letters outlining the new aviation rules were intimated to all district health boards earlier this year.

Under the new rules, single engine rescue helicopters from Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo and Taranaki would first have to pass the new set of regulations and then they would be allowed to land at Waikato Hospital.

"What has been suggested will involve double transferring instead of just coming straight to Waikato as the patient will have to be put into an ambulance; this will cause longer delays and put the patient at more risk", explained, District Health Board Member Jack Havill.