MPS position on medical pilgrimages

Recently there have been a number of enquiries specifically in relation to members accompanying pilgrimages in a medical capacity. MPS will continue to offer indemnity to members accompanying individuals on a Lourdes pilgrimage subject to the following conditions:

• The member’s indemnity extends only to treatment of members of the organised group that they are accompanying.
• Indemnity is available in relation to matters brought in the member’s home jurisdiction only.
• The member acts within his competency.
• Different territories may have different legal, regulatory or licensing requirements that need to be met to allow a doctor to practice medicine in that territory. It remains the member’s responsibility to ensure that they meet any such requirements.
• The member advises MPS of the intention to take part in a pilgrimage.
• Only in exceptional circumstances will MPS decline to offer indemnity.
• The member at the time of the pilgrimage must be an active financial member (paying a subscription) – generally this will be portable to cover the pilgrimage.

These principles should be adopted in relation to any other organised humanitarian group trips that members undertake in a voluntary capacity.