Crawley GP surgery prepares to set up dedicated vaccination centre

Saxonbrook Medical practice in Maidenbower was among the first sites in the UK to welcome patients to receive the Covid vaccine last month and is now forging ahead with a dedicated vaccination venue on the site.

Between December 15 to 18 more than 970 patients aged over 80 received the first dose of the vaccine at the practice, with an additional delivery allowing the team to vaccinate 400 health and social care staff just days before Christmas, the surgery said. The site’s new stand-alone venue, which is due for completion within weeks, will provide a hub for vaccinations that is separate to the main practice building.

The vaccination programme at Saxonbrook is being led by GP Dr Hicham Nakouzi and ABC Project Manager Margaret Cooney, supported by practice staff from across Crawley.

Dr Nakouzi said: “We stepped up to run the programme on this site and we were able to go live within seven to eight days.

“Our main aim has always been to ensure that Crawley patients are given access to the vaccine as soon as possible, and by creating a dedicated site, we can minimize the impact on the main practice.

“We have worked extremely hard to get the appropriate approvals in place and broke ground in late December.

“We’re extremely grateful to all the staff and volunteers who pulled together and worked long days to start our programme so quickly and efficiently.”

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.

Katherine Saunders, chief executive of Alliance for Better Care added: “We have been tasked with helping to roll out a safe and effective vaccination programme in the region and we’re delighted with our progress to date.

“Saxonbrook was the first of our ABC-managed sites to go live and we’ve been overwhelmed by the support from, not just our colleagues and partners, but also volunteers and the public.

“Alongside Dr Nakouzi, Margaret and their team, we are working hard to continue the roll out in the coming weeks.”

The team continue to plan for vaccine deliveries and are supporting care home programmes in the coming weeks.

When you are eligible for your vaccination, you will be contacted by the NHS, the spokesman for the surgery said.

For more information see https://abcltd.org.uk/covid-vaccination-programme/ and https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/