The FCO hosted a reception to mark the launch of the British Hajj delegation, which travels to Mecca as part of our support for British nationals abroad.

Every year the Foreign Office sends a delegation to provide medical and consular support to British national performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The Foreign Secretary launched this year's delegation on 27 October along with HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf (Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UK), Lord Patel of Blackburn (Head of Delegation) and Dr Syed Mohiud-din (Chief Doctor).

The British Hajj Delegation (BHD) has been functioning for over ten years and has been led by Lord Patel of Blackburn for the last nine of those. The delegation includes a Chief Medical Advisor (CMA), seven other Doctors (including one female Doctor), and three FCO Consular officers. The delegation is based in Makkah and provides clinical services for around 3 weeks. Last year there were approximately 23,000 British pilgrims performing Hajj and over 3,000 of them were supported by the delegation.

The delegation leaves for Jeddah on 11 November and is due to return on 5 December. The medical clinic giving basic treatment to British pilgrims will operate in Makkah before the pilgrimage and for a few days after it. Serious illnesses will be referred to Saudi hospitals, which provide free treatment during the Hajj.

Read Foreign Secretary David Miliband speech on the launch of British Hajj Delegation. [PDF document 9,9KB]

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