Dr McLachlan and Partners

Welcome to Dr McLachlan & Partners We are a friendly NHS GP Practice, located in the centre of Helensburgh and only 30 miles from Glasgow.

Our dedicated team are committed to providing excellent healthcare to our patients within a caring environment. Our team is made up of 5 GP Partners, Nurse Prescribing Practitioners, Treatment Room Nurses and Health Care Assistants. We are supported by an excellent administrative team led by our Practice Manager.

Working within the Practice, we have Pharmacists, First Contact Physiotherapists, Mental Health Team and a Community Link Worker. We also have access to the District Nursing Team and Health Visitors.  

It is our aim as a practice to provide the highest quality of care to all our patients. As a training practice we will continue to provide up to date and systematic education to GP Registrars and Nurses. We also believe in encouraging all staff to be the best they can be whilst always listening and respecting their views.

Meet the Team

Dr Brian McLachlan

MB, ChB (1983 Glasgow), MRCGP (1988). ALS Provider (2010). On Obstetrics List, on Minor Surgery List.

Dr McLachlan is a GP Trainer in the Practice. He is also Locality Clinical Director for Helensburgh & the Lochside and has an appointment with NHS Educational for Scotland as an Associate Advisor for Continuing Professional Development. Dr McLachlan is also the Quality and Safety Lead for Argyll & Bute. Dr McLachlan also participates in the GP Out-of-Hours Integrated Care Rota for Acute Medicine at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Dr Pauline Ferns

MBChB (2007 Glasgow), DRCOG (2012), MRCGP (2013)

Dr Ferns was born in Glasgow and chose to study for a science degree in Anatomy prior to gaining her medical degree at the University of Glasgow. She joined the practice in 2013, becoming a partner in 2014. She worked as an Integrated Care GP in Acute Medicine and the Out of Hours GP service at the Vale of Leven Hospital from 2013 to 2017. She became a qualified GP Trainer in 2021 having completed her training with NHS Education for Scotland. She is the Educational Supervisor for several of our GP registrars who rotate through the practice.

Dr Tara Mooney

MBChB (2008 Glasgow), DRCOG (2013), MRCGP (2014)

Originally from Belfast, Dr Mooney studied medicine at the University of Glasgow. She joined the Practice in 2015, becoming a Partner in 2016. Dr Mooney also participated in the GP Out of Hours Integrated Care Rota for Acute Medicine at the Vale of Leven Hospital from 2015 to 2022. Dr Mooney became a qualified GP Trainer in 2023 and is the Educational Supervisor for several of our GP Registrars who rotate through the practice

Local History

The graceful holiday town of Helensburgh was named after the wife of Sir James Colquhoun, who founded the town at the end of the 18th century. Handsome buildings, wide elegant tree-lined streets, long promenade and attractive parks and gardens create a pleasantly distinguished atmosphere.

The town is easy to get to and less than an hour from Glasgow by road and train, and lies on the West Highland Railway Line.

Helensburgh is a gateway to many outdoor activities including the Argyll Kayak Trail, Wild about Argyll Cycling Trail as well as the walking trails including the John Muir Way and the Three Lochs Way which takes in Loch Lomond, The Gareloch and Loch Long. If travelling by car make sure you explore the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail, taking you into the heart of coastal communities to the south west of Loch Lomond.

Wander the town’s many independent shops from local art and handmade jewellery, before savouring the delights of award-winning restaurants and cafes. Impressive formal gardens can be enjoyed at Hermitage Park near the centre of the town, which is ideal for a picnic or explore Geilston Gardens nearby - the kids will love the ‘Hobbit Hole’ play area and floral mini-maze.

In upper Helensburgh, developed by wealthy Victorian Glasgow merchants, is Hill House, now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. This exquisite building, complete with original furnishings, is renowned as the finest domestic masterpiece of the internationally famous Scots architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Other famous local connections include Henry Bell, originator of the steamship and John Logie Baird, the inventor of television.

12 East King St

Helensburgh

G84 7QL

01436 672277