I'm retiring - what do I need to do to with my records? A patient wants to change doctors - what am I required to do?

I'm retiring - what do I need to do to with my records?
Where a practitioner retires and another doctor within the practice takes over responsibility for the patient's records of the retiring practitioner, it is appropriate for a circular to be sent out notifying of the retirement and to include notice that the records will be held by the nominated doctor in the practice.
If that is not feasible, then it is appropriate to inform each patient as they contact the practice of the new arrangement so as to allow a patient the opportunity of having the records transferred to another doctor or practice.
If no arrangements can be made to transfer the records to another doctor, then suitable storage arrangements should be made so that they can be easily accessed if required, and the practices' phone number might have to be retained or redirected to ensure patients can be informed of the new arrangements.
A patient wants to change doctors - what am I required to do? A doctor should always do what accords with best clinical practice and relevant codes of ethics, to ensure that all papers and records the new practitioner would reasonably require to adequately treat the patient are provided.
If the patient has requested the full medical file to be transferred, then the patient's wish should be met, with copies of the file being provided to the nominated doctor.
The transferring doctor should retain all original documents on his/her own file and archive for medico-legal purposes.
The author of material on the doctor's file is irrelevant, as the practitioner who holds the material is responsible for complying with the request for access/transfer.
It may be appropriate to clarify the scope of the patient's request, to understand the needs of the patient and the new treating practitioner.