Practice closure

Overview

When a physician in Nova Scotia closes their practice or retires, you still have a right to your medical information and your ongoing care must be managed responsibly.

What to expect with a planned closure

  • You should receive at least three months warning that your doctor's practice is closing.
  • Your doctor should make a reasonable effort to arrange the transfer of your care to another physician. If a replacement health-care provider is arranged, and you consent to becoming their patient, your records will be sent to them directly. There is no fee for transferring medical records to another provider.
  • If no replacement is available, you will need to register with Nova Scotia’s Need a Family Practice Registry. In the time you are without a family doctor, you can use walk‑in clinics, VirtualCareNS, or emergency services as needed.
  • If you are not referred to another family doctor, your former doctor should tell you how to access your medical records and give you the name of the person or facility (called a “custodian”) who is now holding them. Read more about the care of your medical records after a practice closes.
  • For care by a specialist, the hospital or department may transfer your care to another specialist, or your primary care provider may be required to make a referral to a different specialist.

What to expect with an unplanned closure

  • In the case of an unplanned closure due to illness or suspension, your family doctor or designate is required to make reasonable efforts to notify you by telephone or mail as soon as possible. The physician or designate must also maintain and ensure the security of your medical records.

Contact us using the form below if you need help locating interim care options or your medical record. We are happy to help.

Resources

For more details, see the College's professional standards and guidelines:

Have questions?

For inquiries relating to the closing of a practice please contact us.

Phone: 902-421-2201

The College acknowledges that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship. We also acknowledge that people of African descent have been in Nova Scotia for over 400 years, and we honour and offer gratitude to those ancestors.