Crystal Palace donate Selhurst Park for use as an NHS vaccination site – with the Premier League stadium becoming one of the biggest such venues in London
- Crystal Palace will donate Selhurst Park to be used as an NHS vaccination centre
- The 25,486-capacity ground was pinpointed as an excellent location for the NHS
- Co-owner and chairman Steve Parish said: ‘We are proud to be playing our part’
Crystal Palace will donate Selhurst Park for the NHS to use as a vaccination venue in the battle against Covid-19.
The south London ground, which has a capacity of 25,486, will become one of the capital’s largest vaccination locations when it opens later in January.
The site was pinpointed as an excellent location for a vaccination centre, and the Premier League side previously volunteered Selhurst Park at the start of the pandemic, delivering meals to those in need.
Crystal Palace will donate their Selhurst Park ground to be used as an NHS vaccination centre
Staff will use the Glaziers Lounge in the Main Stand, which has been modified to allow for safe vaccine delivery and social distancing.
The hub will only operate via appointments for those who have already got their NHS invites to attend.
Crystal Palace co-owner and chairman Steve Parish said: ‘We are proud to be playing our part in helping the NHS deliver the vaccine to as many people as possible as quickly as possible.
‘Selhurst Park sits at the heart of our community so we were delighted to put our stadium at the disposal of the NHS.
‘Nothing could be more important than the rapid roll out of the vaccine program to allow us all to return to something approaching normality.’
The 25,486-capacity stadium was pinpointed as an excellent location for the NHS to use
Dr Nicola Jones, local GP and GP lead for the roll-out of the vaccine in south-west London, added: ‘Our teams have done an amazing job working quickly to get ready to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccinations.
‘We are immensely grateful for the support of organisations like Crystal Palace who are offering their time and facilities to help the NHS.
‘The coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective, and will offer people a vital defence against the virus, but we can’t be complacent, it is still so important that people continue to follow government guidance and keep their distance.
‘The NHS will invite eligible people for the vaccine at a set time to ensure those most at risk are prioritised, it is important not to contact your GP for a vaccination before then.’
Eagles manager Roy Hodgson urged his players to stick to Covid-19 restrictions on Thursday