In an era of increased digitization and patient rights, what happens to medical records when a doctor retires, closes a clinic, or passes away is no longer a grey area. While goodwill and infrastructure may be transferred, patient data is not a personal asset—it’s a custodial responsibility governed by medical ethics and law. Who Owns Patient Data? Doctors do not "own" medical records in the conventional sense. As per the National Medical Commission (NMC) Ethics Regulations, medical records are held in trust for the patient.
Upon a physician’s retirement or death, the data must be preserved and made accessible to patients upon request. The successor doctor or establishment becomes the custodian , not the owner, and is bound by confidentiality and retention norms. What Happens on Retirement or Death? If a practitioner retires, they must notify patients in writing and offer them options…
