Ann Forsyth is a Programme Manager, Primary Care Improvement Plan for Glasgow City HSCP, who is currently the Service Manager at the new COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Barr Street in North West Glasgow.

This is one of a number of centres that have opened to help combat COVID-19 by providing a more streamlined service to assess people presenting symptoms. The appointment only centres are staffed by GPs, nursing staff, allied health professionals and are supported by admin and domestic teams. They form part of a new pathway that maximises the number of symptomatic people who can be cared for in our community, while also making sure hospital capacity is used for those with the most serious illnesses.

Ann explained: “The new centre had to be implemented at very short notice and given my experience of managing services and buildings, I volunteered to take the lead role, which included recommissioning and opening the building, setting up patient pathways and the relocation of staff and their induction.”

In addition, Ann is now managing the COVID-19 care home testing teams that have also been set up at Barr Street. These are teams of nurses, allied health professionals and health care support workers who have volunteered to visit care homes to undertake the tests of staff and residents.

Gary Dover, Assistant Chief Officer, Primary Care and Early Intervention within Glasgow City HSCP said: “Ann is a dedicated, committed and compassionate leader who goes out of her way to make sure an effective and efficient service is provided for patients at Barr Street, and has made a major contribution to reducing demand on both GPs and hospitals from patients who have symptoms of the virus.”