Q. I am a single-handed GP who is retiring shortly and facilitating a new doctor who has been appointed to my GMS list. What should I do with both my GMS and private patient records?

A. The incoming GP has a contract with the GMS and is entitled to the records of all patients on the GMS lists. It cannot be assumed that private patients will attend that GP, and records should be forwarded to that or other GPs on explicit consent from that patient only. The existing (retiring) doctor should, however, maintain the patient medical records accumulated at the time for an adequate period consistent with meeting legal and other professional responsibilities. During that period, the provisions of the Data Protection Acts continue to apply to that information.