MPS is the world’s leading medical defence organisation, putting members first by providing professional support and expert medicolegal advice throughout their careers. We have more than 300,000 members worldwide. 

MPS has been helping doctors who find themselves in medicolegal difficulties since 1892. We are here to help and support members when they need it. We work only for the benefit of our members, and have no external commercial or shareholder interests to distract us.

A recent survey of our members provided the following feedback:

“I have contacted MPS on a number of occasions for general advice and have always been very impressed by the services I received.”

“Very quick responses, clear advice and guidance, a sympathetic ear.”

“Speedy, efficient, courteous, knowledgeable – I have always been impressed by the MPS and my latest enquiry only strengthened my good opinion.”

If you are concerned about any issue or incident which has occurred in your capacity as a doctor or other healthcare worker, we would encourage you to get in touch immediately to ask our advice. There is no stigma attached to seeking guidance or support, and we would rather you asked for help in time to avoid a problem instead of waiting and hoping for the best, only to find yourself in greater difficulties later.

Where you are eligible for MPS’s occurrence-based protection you can seek assistance for any complaint or claim arising from an adverse incident that took place during membership of MPS – even if it is brought years later, or if you have long since left MPS. Occurrence-based protection means you do not need to make any further arrangements for long-term protection after your membership ends.

Yes. In the unlikely event that you are sued as a result of a Good Samaritan act, you can apply for assistance from Medical Protection, no matter where in the world the action is brought.

We consider that a response to the GoodSAM App, provided it is in accordance with the GoodSAM App code of conduct, falls within our definition of a Good Samaritan Act.

Members who retire, take a career break or who otherwise stop practising medicine voluntarily - either temporarily or permanently (excluding holidays), can request to retain MPS membership in the retired/deferred category.

As a retired or deferred member with occurrence-based protection, you pay no subscription, still receive the MPS journal, Casebook, and our Annual Report and Accounts, and can apply for MPS assistance with any medicolegal problems arising from a “good Samaritan act”.

However, if you decide to leave MPS, then you will not be entitled to any assistance in relation to a good Samaritan act if the incident occurs after your membership has ended. You must also inform us before you resume practice, so that we can ensure you are placed in the correct category of membership.

Members with claims-made protection should contact us to find out how a break will affect their membership.

Students can apply online for free MPS membership. All other doctors can access application forms from the Join MPS section of the website (see the "Join" button at the top of the page). Please ensure you read the important information at the bottom of the page before completing the application and returning it to the address shown at the top of the form.

The application must be completed in full and signed and dated within two months of your required membership start date.

Your application can be submitted by post, fax or email.

MPS defines cosmetic/aesthetic procedures as those which have as their primary purpose the alteration of the non-pathological external appearance of a patient. 

If you are not an accredited plastic surgeon and you are considering undertaking any cosmetic/aesthetic procedures, whether surgical or non-surgical, you must contact an MPS membership adviser to discuss your plans in advance.

MPS may offer professional protection for volunteer doctors working for a recognised charity or humanitarian organisation. Please contact us as soon as possible on +44 113 243 6436 or email international@mps.org.uk if you intend to work in this capacity.

No, not at present. MPS sets its subscription rates to reflect the risks of various groups of doctors who share similar characteristics – for example specialty groupings. Therefore, the rate you pay is set to reflect the level of potential risk. 

At the present time the main benefits to the individual practitioner of engaging with our educational programs are:

• Enhanced risk management skills
• Improved patient outcomes
• Reduced likelihood of involvement with claims or complaints and the associated stress, worry and inconvenience they bring.

No. We can issue a duplicate certificate to you free of charge. If your membership subscription is fully paid and up to date, you can also download a copy of your certificate here.

Download my membership certificate

Otherwise, please contact your local membership office to discuss your requirements.

MPS regards providing an expert opinion as an integral part of professional practice. As with all aspects of professional practice it is essential that you act within the limits of your own expertise.

MPS has assisted many members with claims arising out of the provision of an expert opinion and considers these in the same way as any other claim in negligence against a member.

Please contact us to check that you are paying the correct subscription to reflect your medicolegal practice.

Extended liability

MPS membership grants the right to request indemnity in relation to your own clinical practice. However, as an owner or partner in a practice you may be responsible for liability arising from other elements of the business, for example:

• vicarious liability for the acts and omissions of other healthcare professionals or staff at your practice;
• liability for products that are sold at your practice;
• liability in relation to the safety of the practice environment; and
• liability for non-clinical matters such as taxes and the performance of contracts entered into by or on behalf of your practice.

It is important to understand that the subscription for an individual MPS member is calculated on the basis of the risk represented by that member alone. In the interests of fairness across the membership as a whole, where you are exposed to additional liabilities (such as those listed above), you do not have the right request indemnity for matters beyond your own clinical practice, unless your membership grade is expressly extended to cover these. Note that MPS offers corporate membership and other bespoke arrangements for members who require indemnity for the clinical negligence of their staff. Please contact your local membership office for further information.

GPs who have full Medical Protection membership can request indemnity for tongue-tie division if:

• they have appropriate training and experience
• patients/parents are properly informed of the procedure, this includes the risks as well as potential complications, and consent has been obtained before proceeding
• it is performed in an appropriate setting. Procedures not carried out in clinical premises must be undertaken in a safe environment with adequate and appropriate facilities.

Those who are on obstetrics/gynaecology, paediatric and GPs on their current grade can request indemnity for undertaking the Harmony prenatal test provided members ensure:

• patients are adequately counselled and consented
• patients are appropriately followed up
• full records are maintained (including records of the counselling and consent, as well as follow up arrangements).