Barns Medical Practice

30/12/2025

✨ I am absolutely delighted to share that I have been awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year Honours list published today, for services to Practice Management and Education.

To say I’m overwhelmed would be an understatement. The messages, kindness, and good wishes from the team, my colleagues and our patients has meant so much.
We truly have the best team at Barns, and they deserve this recognition every bit as much as I do. Nothing we achieve is ever down to one person — it’s the collective effort and commitment of our whole team that makes Barns what it is.

Special thanks to Drs Hunter, McGee and Niblock who employed me 36 years ago and who have supported, encouraged and believed in me throughout my journey.

Now looking forward to some team celebrations in 2026! 🌟

29/12/2025

🎆 New Year Holidays 🎆

The surgery will be CLOSED on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd of January.

If you have any concerns during this period, you can seek advice from www.nhsinform.scot , from the NHS 24 helpline by phoning "111" or by seeing your local Pharmacist, who can provide a minor ailments service 💊🌡

Your local pharmacy opening times can be found below ⬇️

22/12/2025

🎄 FESTIVE HOLIDAYS 🎄

The surgery will be CLOSED Thursday 25th and Friday 26th December.

If you require assistance during this time please visit
www.nhsinform.scot for self-help guides or call Ayrshire Urgent Care Service on 111

Community pharmacists can answer questions on choosing and using the right medicine and the Pharmacy First service can provide free advice and/or treatment for many ailments. Local pharmacy opening can be found below ⬇️

NHS inform provides valuable advice at the click of a button – visit www.nhsinform.scot

22/12/2025

🎄 A Christmas Message from Barns Medical Practice 🎄

As we come to the end of another year, we would like to take a moment to thank all our patients for your continued support throughout 2025. The appreciation you show our team — through your kind words, thoughtful gestures, and the generous gifts we receive at Christmas and throughout the year — means more than you know. Your trust in us helps strengthen our reputation as a caring, community‑focused practice, and we are truly grateful.

Wishing all our patients a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

Thank you for being part of the Barns community.

— The Barns Medical Practice Team

16/12/2025

❤️British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) ❤️

The British Regional Heart Study is coming to an end….

Almost 50 years ago, between 1978–1980, around 300 men from Barns Medical Practice signed up to take part in the UCL British Regional Heart Study (BRHS).

This landmark study, led by Professor Gerry Shaper and his team, set out to understand heart disease and improve health outcomes across the UK. Over the decades, participants attended clinic visits, completed questionnaires, and our Practice supported annual record reviews.

✨ Thanks to your dedication, the BRHS has produced around 600 scientific publications and remains a hugely valuable resource in cardiovascular research.

The study team want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed — patients, families, and staff — for their support across five decades.

It truly feels like the end of an era, and we are proud that our Practice played a part in such an important piece of medical history💙

The British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) is a long-term cohort investigating the causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men and seeking to understand the effect of co-morbidities on CVD & ageing.

11/12/2025

You can make an appointment with one of our friendly Practice Pharmacy team to discuss if this would suit your medications…..

04/12/2025

Due to a sharp rise in flu and other respiratory infections, we’ve made the difficult decision to suspend routine visiting across all NHS Ayrshire & Arran hospitals from Thursday 4 December.

Essential visits only will be supported at this time, and we’ll review the situation daily and restore routine visiting as soon as it’s safe.

Our teams will help patients and families stay connected during this time.

Please do your part to reduce the spread of infection: wash your hands, stay home if unwell, and consider getting your flu and COVID vaccines.

For more information, visit: https://www.nhsaaa.net/keeping-your-loved-ones-safe-visiting-restrictions-across-all-sites/

For updates: https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/services-a-z/healthhub/visiting-restrictions/

02/12/2025

✨ Protected Learning Time Update ✨

Last week at our Protected Learning Time afternoon, the team explored how to identify and manage frailty for the best patient outcomes.

Frailty is not just considered in the elderly — our focus was on reducing polypharmacy, preventing falls, and minimising risk to support patients across all age groups.

The session was delivered by our very own Nurse Consultant Kate, and was very well received by both clinical and administrative staff. We were delighted to also be joined by our District Nursing colleagues, Intermediate Care team, and our Practice OT, making it a truly collaborative learning experience.

👏 A big thank you to everyone who took part

26/11/2025

✨ 10+ Years. Almost 100 Patients. One Journey. ✨

👥 Invited by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to share our Patient Participation Group story…

🌐 Reviewed & improved our Practice website

📄 Designed patient‑friendly leaflets

📱 Launched our page

📊 “Did You Know?” stats shared regularly

💬 “You Said / We Did” updates

🚪 Made our automatic door easier to use

🚶 Walk & Talk Wednesdays with PPG leaders

📝 Created our PPG Mission Statement

💙 Together, we’ve achieved so much… and we’re still growing! 💙

21/11/2025

❗️❗️Protected Learning Time ❗️❗️

The Practice will be closed from 1.00pm on Thursday 27th November.

Protected Learning Time (PLT) allows GP practices to close for half a day to carry out staff training for the whole practice team.

Patients who need urgent advice can contact the Ayrshire Urgent Care Service on 01563 826930 during this half day closure.

Any prescriptions ordered after 12.00 noon on Wednesday 26th November will be ready for collection on Friday 28th November.

The Practice will reopen at 8.20am on Friday 28th November.

19/11/2025

⚠️ Antibiotics don’t treat colds or flu.

These illnesses are usually caused by viruses and are mostly self-limiting, whereas antibiotics only work on bacteria.

✅ Let’s handle antibiotics with care and keep these life-saving medicines effective.

14/11/2025

Flu season has arrived about a month earlier than usual in Scotland, and cases are rising rapidly.

Our latest blog focuses on what's happening this season, how we're monitoring flu and vaccine uptake, how to ensure you're protected and what to do if you have symptoms.

👉Given the early start to the season, we’re encouraging those who are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
👉Flu viruses change constantly, and this year’s vaccine is designed to protect against the three main types of flu viruses we usually see.
👉Most people who are eligible for this year’s vaccination are receiving their invitations by text, email or post, in a white envelope with clear NHS Scotland branding. Invitations will continue to be sent out as the programme progresses through the winter.
👉To prevent the spread of flu, we continue to recommend regular handwashing and advise people with symptoms of respiratory illness to stay and home and avoid spreading the virus to others.

Read more here: https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-blog/2025/november/with-this-year-s-flu-season-starting-early-find-out-how-to-stay-protected/