Three specialist colleges have launched last-minute campaigns to save the so-called Medevac law, arguing its repeal would put the lives of patients in offshore detention at risk.

The RACGP, RACP and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists have urged crossbench senators to reject the Federal Government’s repeal bill, which is set to be debated in the Senate on Wednesday.

More than 100 asylum seekers have come to Australia under the Medevac law, which gave doctors a greater say in granting medical transfers.

However, the government has claimed the scheme weakens border protection, because it limits the discretion of the minister to rule on each case.