At Medical Protection we understand the vital role that humanitarian care plays worldwide, especially in times of crisis. That is why humanitarian protection is something we’ve offered for many years.

You can request protection for humanitarian work if…
• Your membership is current
• You have been in membership for a minimum of 6 months
• You are working for a recognised charity or humanitarian organisation
• You contact Medical Protection before you intend to travel
• You have met all of the destination country’s professional criteria
• Your intended work excludes the management of pregnancies 

In addition, you can request the benefit of membership relating to humanitarian work for up to 6 months in any 12-month membership period. This can be applied to shorter periods of travel, or for a single 6-month period.


Other things medical volunteers need to know

As a volunteer, you are always responsible for checking that you understand and follow the laws and regulations of the country where you will be volunteering, including any requirements for work permits or visas. You also need to understand and follow any professional obligations such as registration or licensing, and the rules about the type of indemnity you are required to have.

Members who have met all of a country’s professional criteria can request assistance from us. However, this is only available for matters brought within the member’s home territory.

The benefits of membership (including the right to request indemnity) do not extend to any matters arising from the management of a pregnancy under humanitarian care.

If you would like any further details about the humanitarian protection that we provide, please contact the Member Services team for more information.

If you receive an invitation to attend a pre-mediation meeting or participate in a mediation process, please notify us immediately on 0800 982 766 or email medical.rsa@medicalprotection.org before responding.

This is to ensure that you are properly advised through the process from the outset. Our sole purpose is to protect members, which is why we want to ensure that any mediation you undertake is done so with support from our experienced medicolegal team.

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).

Subject to payment of the appropriate membership subscription, Medical Protection assistance is available for matters arising from your private practice where you are not entitled to seek assistance or indemnity from another source.

Medical Protection indemnity does NOT extend to matters arising where at the time of the incident you were employed or managed by the state/provincial healthcare system.

For example:

1. A member (either on their own account or as part of a practice arrangement) practising in private rooms, including reporting on imaging of state patients (whether taken on state or private hospital premises), where the member receives payment of private fees for provision of that service. We would normally consider this to be private practice. Medical Protection assistance is available for incidents arising from this work.
2. A member (either on their own account or as part of a practice arrangement) practising in dedicated rooms located within state facilities which have been hired from the state, with the member supplying their own equipment and staff. Including reporting on imaging of state patients* where the member receives payment of private fees for provision of that service. We would normally consider this to be private practice. Medical Protection assistance is available for incidents arising from this work.
3. A member (either on their own account or as part of a practice arrangement) working within a state facility treating state patients with equipment provided by the facility, and undertaking such activities as are required of them at the direction or control of the state. (This would include working as a sessional doctor, part-time employee, locum tenens etc). We would normally consider this to be practicing within the state healthcare system. Medical Protection indemnity would not extend in this circumstance, as it should be indemnified by the state.

If you feel your individual circumstances fall outside of the above examples, please contact a membership adviser to discuss your indemnity requirements.

*For the avoidance of doubt this would include where the image was taken by the State and transmitted (whether electronically or by transfer of hard copy images) to the member for reporting

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.

 

Medical Protection defines a Good Samaritan act as one in which medical assistance is given, free of charge, in a bona fide medical emergency upon which you may chance, in a personal as opposed to a professional capacity, eg, assisting a fellow spectator at an event.

For doctors, ignoring such a predicament is never an option. When called into action while off duty, you must remember to make a full clinical record after treatment.

You must assess your own competence in handling the situation – eg, you may be under the influence of alcohol – and proceed accordingly.

Only intervene if the situation is an emergency. Any situation that is beyond your competence may still benefit from your input, to a degree. For example, you can use your clinical skills to take a history, make an examination to reach a preliminary assessment, and give an indication of the likely differential diagnosis. You can also suggest options for the management of the situation pending arrival of support. 

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.

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 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.”

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

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

However, if you decide to leave Medical Protection, 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.

If you are employed by the state, and treat patients in a state facility, then the state provides indemnity against claims arising from your professional practice.

State indemnity will only cover the financial consequences of a claim for clinical negligence. Its purpose is to ensure public patients are compensated if they suffer harm, rather than protect you or your professional interests.

However, it does not extend to assistance for:

• internal complaints and disciplinaries related to your clinical practice
• inquests
• HPCSA investigations
• criminal allegations arising from the provision of clinical care.

As a Medical Protection member you would however be entitled to request assistance in these circumstances.

We can also help members by advising them on how best to protect themselves in their professional practice, assisting in preparing and checking reports for the State Attorney and providing assistance with media relations to help protect their reputation.

Additional benefits include, but are not limited to, free communication skills and risk management workshops, verifiable CPD and CEU, emergency medicolegal advice available 24/7, and support and assistance for Good Samaritan acts.

More information about Medical Protection membership for state-indemnified professionals can be found here. 

Occupational Health specialists are eligible to apply for membership in a general practitioner grade. The procedures you perform will determine which grade will be applicable.

Your membership number should be entered in the format SA#####, with “SA” replacing the first two digits of your number and the “/” as shown on your subscription renewal notice. For example, 07/99999 should be entered as SA99999.

Your membership will not automatically provide protection for any practice you perform in the UK or Ireland.

If you are planning to practise in the UK or Ireland, you must contact the MPS Membership Department to discuss your circumstances before you travel. The Membership Department can be contacted by:

• Telephone: +44 113 243 6436
• Fax: +44 113 241 0500
• Email: member.help@mps.org.uk 
• Post: Membership Department, Medical Protection Society, Victoria House, 2 Victoria Place, Leeds, LS11 5AE, United Kingdom.

Your membership will provide protection for practice you undertake in South Africa and Namibia.

If you are planning to practise outside these countries then you must contact MPS to discuss your professional protection before you travel. Please email the details of your trip, including which country (or countries) you will be visiting and the type of work you will be undertaking, to southafricamembership@mps.org.uk. 

Alternatively, you can contact us by:

• Telephone: +44 113 243 0535
• Fax: +44 113 241 0500
• Post: Membership Services, Medical Protection Society, Victoria House, 2 Victoria Place, Leeds, LS11 5AE, United Kingdom.

The main jurisdictions where MPS has members include the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the Caribbean and Bermuda. However, we do have smaller numbers of members in other countries, so it is often possible to continue your membership even if, for example, you are doing voluntary work overseas.

If you are planning to practise overseas then you must contact MPS to discuss your professional protection before you travel. Please email the details of your trip, including which country (or countries) you will be visiting and the type of work you will be undertaking, to southafricamembership@mps.org.uk. Alternatively, you can contact us by:

• Telephone: +44 113 243 0535
• Fax: +44 113 241 0500
• Post: Membership Services, Medical Protection Society, Victoria House, 2 Victoria Place, Leeds, LS11 5AE, United Kingdom.

Yes. However, you should note that the change can only be made on your personal instruction and not by any third party. Call 0800 225 677 to update your contact details.

Your payment reference number is shown on all subscription renewal documentation, in the format mps00#####. 

If you are a Medical Officer Grade 2 or 3, private GP or private specialist, you will find the payment reference on page two of your renewal document in the payment details section.

For other members, the payment reference is printed in the top right-hand corner of your renewal document.

The payment reference can also be found on the ‘Outstanding Membership Fee’ document.

Yes. Please sign and return your renewal notice even if your details have not changed. 

Please ensure that all details are correct before returning your renewal notice.

No. If your bank details have not changed, you will not have to submit them again. 

We will continue to take payment by debit order until we receive a request in writing from you either to change your bank details or to cancel the debit order instruction.

If you don't have a cheque book, please inform us of your desire to pay by debit order and provide your full bank details in an email to mps@samedical.org. Please ensure that your membership number and details are included in your email.

Alternatively, you can choose the debit order payment option and fill in your bank details in the debit order section on your renewal form. 

Access the membership application forms

For administrative reasons, MPS does not take debit payments in the first and last months of the membership year.

You can make payment by: 

• Debit order from a South African or Namibian bank account, either annually or in ten monthly instalments. On request to pay by debit order, preferably include a cancelled cheque. (Please note that the debit order facility is not available for bank accounts held in Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe or Swaziland.) A debit order authority form can be found on page seven of our application form here.
• Cheque for the full subscription amount made payable to The Medical Protection Society Ltd and sent to South African Medical Association, PO Box 74789, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040.
• Credit card for the full subscription amount by calling 0800 225 677.

If you are a Medical Officer Grade 2 or 3, private GP or private specialist, you can renew your subscription online. Simply follow this step-by-step guide.

1. Click here to register for online membership services.
2. Complete page one of the registration form. Your membership number should be entered in the format SA#####, with “SA” replacing the first two digits of your number and the “/” as shown on your subscription renewal notice. For example, 07/99999 should be entered as SA99999.
3. Complete page two of the registration form, selecting your Username and Password in accordance with the guidance.
4. Once you have completed the registration process, you can complete your renewal online.

If you have difficulty completing your renewal online, please contact SAMA by calling 012 481 2070 or email mps@samedical.org.

You can submit your bank details (for a debit order to be set up) or a cheque when you submit your application for membership. However, payment cannot be taken until your application has been determined and approved.

Please see the ‘Payment Details’ section on the application form for further details of your options.

Medical students can apply online here. 

Other applicants must complete and submit a form offline. Click here for details of how to apply for MPS membership.

You can inform us about a change in your contact details by:

• Registering on the MPS website and submitting the changes (click here to register for online membership services)
• Telephone by calling 0800 225 677
• Fax on 086 635 8810 or 012 481 2061
• Email to mps@samedical.org
• Post by writing to our membership team: Jackie Laas, c/o South African Medical Association, PO Box 74789, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040.

Please remember to include your MPS membership number (or HPCSA number if you cannot remember your membership number) and your full details in your request.

For administrative reasons, MPS does not take debit payments in the first and last months of the membership year. If it is not the first or last month of your membership year and no debit has left your account, please contact our membership team.

Medical Protection 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.

Medical Protection 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.

No. We can issue a duplicate certificate to you free of charge. Please contact your local membership office to discuss your requirements.

membership@mps.org.nz

No, not at present. The main benefits of engaging with our educational programs are:

• enhanced risk management and prevention skills
• improved patient outcomes
• reduced likelihood of involvement with claims or complaints and the associated stress, worry and inconvenience they bring.

Medical Protection 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 a membership adviser to discuss your plans in advance.

Extended liability

Medical Protection 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 Medical Protection 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 Medical Protection 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.

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 by calling our medicolegal advice line. 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. 

Medical Protection occurrence-based protection will respond to claims brought against you, even after your membership has ended and your subscription payment has ceased, as long as the alleged incident happened during the period of your Medical Protection membership and you were in the appropriate membership category at the time the incident occurred.

For Medical Protection claims-made protection, this would require you to purchase extended reporting benefits (ERBs) from Medical Protection, to enable you to report an incident you only became aware of after your claims-made protection membership ends. Alternatively, if you continue to practice after ceasing Medical Protection membership, you may be able to make arrangements with your new provider to allow you to report the incident to them.