Local MP, Gillian Keegan visited the new Chichester Vaccine Hub on Friday 26th February located at the City’s Westgate Centre. The MP went to see how the newly established centre was running and thank the staff and volunteers.
Gillian toured the site and met with the range of people working to vaccinate the local population. Including several former cabin crew usually based out of Gatwick Airport, and many retired nurses and doctors returning to support this national effort. Since its inception, the site has gone from strength to strength and is now inoculating 1,000 people per day and is booked up weeks in advance. At present, the site is handling local people who are clinically vulnerable and those aged 65+.
The new centre has been widely welcomed by local residence after a brief campaign to see such a centre within the City centre. Gillian played a key role in the effort, working closely with NHS commissioners to firstly get a site approved and bring it online.
After her visit, Gillian said, “The team are simply fantastic, and all of us in Chichester are so grateful to all the entire NHS team, and all the volunteers who are working tirelessly to keep us safe. It has been a massive challenge to get another centre off the ground, but as always, the NHS has come through for us and it is wonderful to see the result. I especially want to thank Siobhan Melia, Chief Executive of Sussex Community Foundation Trust, and her team on the ground; Fiona, Duane, and Michelle who are running the site so expertly. As well as, Eileen Lintill and the Chichester District Council who offered the Westgate Centre to the NHS commissioners to be used as our new hub, and the Everyone Active team who are working closely with the NHS to ensure the gym and the hub can work side-by-side as things open up again. Thank you everyone!”
