Practice updates
6/12/24 New Doctors in the practice
We have 2 new junior Doctors in the practice, Dr Iftikhar and Dr Rooney
They will be working in the practice for the next 4 months
2/12/24 Christmas and New Year holidays
The practice will be closed on 25th and 26th December 2024, and 1st and 2nd January 2025.
Christmas: We will close at 6pm on Tuesday 24th December and re-open at 8.30am on Friday 27th December.
New year: We will close at 6pm on Tuesday 31st December and re-open at 8.30am on Friday 3rd January.
If you need to speak to a GP urgently while we are closed, phone NHS 111 or see website below:
2/12/24 Support for rape and sexual abuse survivors
First Wednesday of every month at Barrhead Health Centre 9.30 to 12.30. This is now an appointment only service, available 4th Dec, 5th Feb and 5th March.
You can also call the helpline on 08088 00 00 14 Monday to Friday 11am to 2pm. Monday to Thursday 5.30pm to 7.30pm
10/10/24 Connect Me blood pressure service
A new service to remind you to send in blood pressure readings to the practice. See Practice Services section (click on 'Our Practice' above) for more information
This is a new service for patients who have their own home blood pressure monitors. It sends text messages, e-mails or phone messages to remind you to check your blood pressure and send readings to the practice. If you would be interested in this service, please contact the reception team.
6/9/24 Breast screening
The mobile breast screening unit is now in the Health Centre car park
All eligible women between age 50 and 70 registered with the practice will be sent an invitation letter.
16/2/24 About your child's heath: information and resources
This is a website run by the Royal Hospital for Children with useful information and advice on common childhood illnesses
14/2/24 New GP trainees in the practice
Final year of GP training
We welcome back Dr Sophie Irwin and Dr Mai Ahmed. They are both with us to complete their GP training.
31/1/24 New Partners in Levern Medical Practice
Dr Emma Hamill and Dr Alison Maguire
Dr Hamill has been our Salaried GP for several years. She is now a Partner and we also welcome Dr Maguire as a new Partner.
29/12/23 Self-referring to maternity services
Pregnant women can now use the new online self referral system for maternity booking.
This is an alternative to using the maternity booking phoneline (which is still also available)
13/12/23 COPD support service
NHS Scotland COPD Support Service. Available to patients who have a diagnosis of COPD.
Helping you and your doctor to manage your chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A web-application accessible to patients through smart phone, tablet or computer to support their COPD management.
5/10/23 New telephone number when we phone you
The number that shows up when the GP surgery or any hospital in Greater Glasgow Health Board phones you has changed. We are no longer using an 0800 number.
The number that appears on your phone when the surgery or the hospital are phoning you is now an 0141 number. You can't phone back on this number. Please continue to use the surgery phone number to call in. (0141 800 7000). The RAH switchboard number is 0141 314 7294.
5/7/23 Practice catchment area
We are changing our practice catchment area.
Due to the number of new houses being built in the G78 area we are no longer able to accept patients from G53 or PA1 postcodes. Anyone living in postcodes previously included in the practice catchment can remain as a patient of the surgery.
19/6/23 Explore East Renfrewshire!
East Renfrewshire council has a webpage with information on walking and cycling in the local area.
Walking and cycling are great activities to help improve your health and fitness
31/5/23 Sandyford Barrhead re-opening
The Sandyford sexual health service in Barrhead Health Centre has re-opened one day a week
It will be open 9am to 4pm on Mondays. Bookings can be made via the Sandyford website
16/5/23 Physiotherapy website
There is a new NHS Greater Glasgow website with advice and information on joint and muscle problems.
From this website, you can look at videos on physiotherapy exercises and also self refer to physio using the online form.
24/4/23 Increasing rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea
Rates of these sexually transmitted infections are rising, particularly among heterosexual women.
Free condoms are available, see the link below.
18/4/23 Letters for housing department
We do not write letters in support of housing applications
You are best placed to describe how your medical conditions affect your need for housing. GPs cannot provide letters for patients as it is not included in the work we are contracted to do by the health board. It takes up a lot of time and takes us away from dealing with unwell patients.
13/1/23 New telephone queuing system
We now have a queue system on the reception telephone line (0141 800 7000)
If all the phones are busy, you will be put in a queue. There is a message to tell you what number you are in the queue. This gives you an idea of how busy the phones are so you can phone back at a quieter time if you prefer.
5/12/22 Group A strep infection
You may have seen in the media about an increased incidence of group A streptococcal infection
Most sore throats, particularly in children, are caused by viral infections, not bacteria like group A strep. If your child is unwell then please contact the surgery. Helpful information is also available on the NHS website or see the leaflet below:
14/11/22 Osteoarthritis: What Can I Do?
We know that osteoarthritis effects 8.5 million people in the UK. We also know ways that can help manage your symptoms. The BIG things are a healthy lifestyle, managing your weight alongside movement, activity and exercise.
See link for more information on these topics or https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/23930/keep-moving-information-booklet.pdf
23/5/22 Mpox
Information on mpox
Mpox is a rare infection that's mainly spread by wild animals in parts of west or central Africa. The risk of catching it in the UK is low.
18/5/22 GP practices no longer doing travel vaccines
Travel vaccines are now being provided by the health board
Please use the fit for travel website for information on how to arrange travel vaccines
1/4/22 New online mental health support
Togetherall available free to all East Renfrewshire residents age 16-25
Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. Anyone age 16-25 can have free access by signing up online.
9/3/22 Do not e-mail in photos unless you have spoken to a member of staff first
Our e-mail address has been shared on social media without our knowledge or consent.
You may have seen our e-mail address on social media. You must NOT use this address to send in photos unless you have been specifically asked to by a member of staff. All contact with the practice is by phone first and any photos sent in without prior permission will be returned.
4/10/21 New hospital phone numbers
Phone numbers for the RAH and other hospitals have changed.
RAH switchboard is now 0141 314 7294
21/5/21 Enquiries about hospital out-patient appointments
If you have been referred to the hospital for an out-patient appointment and wish to enquire about waiting times or have another query about the appointment please do not phone the surgery.
Contact the hospital you have been referred to and ask to speak to appointments or the secretary of the department you have been referred to.
RAH: 0141 314 7294
QEUH: 0141 201 1100