Crawley-based practice Saxonbrook Medical launches dedicated vaccination unit

The new addition to the site will allow the Saxonbrook team to administer up to 2,000 vaccinations per day and will be able to accommodate various vaccination clinics separate to the practice’s day-to-day GP services.

The purpose-built vaccination unit, which has been built in less than three months, provides safe access to vaccinations, for the benefit of patients across Crawley

The vaccination programme at Saxonbrook is being led by GP Dr Hicham Nakouzi supported by practice staff from across Crawley.

Dr Nakouzi said: “We are delighted to offer the new Saxonbrook Vaccination Centre to our community.

"When a vaccine was confirmed we knew that the vaccination programme would be a long-term project and wanted to ensure we had a facility that could be used for the duration of the programme and avoid disruption to our normal GP services.

"To get the site to this stage so quickly has taken huge dedication from the team and we look forward to using the space to make a significant impact in the local community.”

Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, attended the opening of the new unit. He said:“I welcome this vaccination centre at Saxonbrook Medical that will provide a dedicated space for this important work.

"Well done to all involved in getting this facility built so quickly for the benefit of the people of Crawley.

"I am delighted at the pace of the Covid-19 vaccination programme as a whole and the swift work in providing this facility is part of that national effort.”

The team will shortly be engaging with the local community to launch an initiative to name the venue.

Saxonbrook was among the first sites in the UK to welcome patients to receive the Covid vaccine in December and has since administered more than 17,000 doses.

Saxonbrook’s vaccination programme is being rolled out by GP Federation Alliance for Better Care, which has practice members across East Surrey, Crawley, Horsham and Mid-Sussex.

To date, ABC has launched seven vaccination sites in the region and administered more than 130,000 doses of the vaccine.