GPs Encouraged to Plan Ahead Before Retiring from Practice

GPs Encouraged to Plan Ahead Before Retiring from Practice

10 Jul 2026

GPs preparing to retire or leave clinical practice are being encouraged to plan well in advance to ensure a smooth transition for their patients, staff and practice. Experts say careful preparation can help maintain continuity of care while meeting professional and legal responsibilities. 

With many GPs expected to retire in the coming years, planning ahead is becoming increasingly important, particularly for doctors who own or co-own a medical practice.

According to Dr Rob Hosking, one of the first priorities is ensuring patients are informed about the change. Practices should communicate upcoming closures or ownership changes through notices in the clinic, websites, social media, voicemail messages and online booking platforms.

Doctors should also prepare their staff for the transition by giving them enough notice to understand how the changes may affect their employment.

Managing patient records is another key responsibility. Records must be securely stored for the required legal timeframes, and patients should be informed and provide consent if their records are being transferred to another healthcare provider.

GPs are also advised to notify organisations such as Medicare, AHPRA, hospitals and referring healthcare providers before leaving practice. Provider Connect Australia can help update multiple organisations through one notification.

Other practical tasks include arranging the safe disposal of unused medicines, prescription pads and official practice stationery.

Dr Hosking also encouraged doctors to plan for life after medicine, including their health, wellbeing, finances and the personal adjustment that often comes with retirement.

GPs Encouraged to Plan Ahead Before Retiring from Practice

Source: newsGP

 

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