A new, world-class centre for eye care, research, and education, opening in Camden in 2027 has been officially named.
A partnership between Moorfields Eye Hospital, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and Moorfields Eye Charity, the new centre will be called Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health and is expected to open its doors to patients in St Pancras, Camden in summer 2027.
The name of the centre describes the partnership, emphasising collaboration and the combined expertise of the partners involved. Harnessing the expertise of clinicians and researchers under one roof, the centre will deliver the highest quality eye care, research, and education. With state-of-the-art facilities, patients will have access to more efficient treatments, as well as being able to take part in research more easily.
The centre is part of the New Hospital Programme, a national initiative to transform how healthcare is delivered in the UK.
The centre has been designed with input from patients and sight loss organisations to ensure it meets a range of diverse needs and delivers an exceptional patient experience.
For staff, students, and volunteers the centre will provide modern spaces to collaborate that will foster innovation between clinicians and researchers. There will also be dedicated well-being spaces and facilities to relax and recharge in, including a garden roof terrace with views across London.
Moorfields Eye Hospital services currently provided at City Road will move to the new centre in 2027, including children’s services currently provided at the Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre, clinics at Cayton Street, and Moorfields Private. The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology on Bath Street will also relocate to the new centre. No services will remain at the City Road or Bath Street sites for either organisation.
Moving to Camden will bring the partners closer to other important health and research partners, including the Bloomsbury campus of UCL, the Francis Crick Institute, University College London Hospital, and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
United under one roof at Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health, Moorfields, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity will continue to operate under their own names. To aid wayfinding to the new centre, patients will continue to follow signs for Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Peter Ridley, chief executive of Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: “I am delighted to announce the name of our new centre for eye care, research, and education. Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health will be a place for high quality care for our patients and world-leading innovation in the field of ophthalmic research. I could not be prouder of the work of all our staff and stakeholders who helped make this centre a reality.”
Professor Alan Thompson, Dean, UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences, said: “The naming of the Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health marks a defining moment in our ambition to create a world-leading hub for eye care, research, and education. It reflects the spirit of collaboration at the heart of this project - bringing clinicians, scientists, and patients together to drive innovation and improve lives for generations.”
Robert Dufton, chief executive of Moorfields Eye Charity, said: “This is an important milestone for our new centre for eye health that will serve communities for generations to come. The chosen name reflects the shared vision and values at the heart of the partnership between the charity, Moorfields, and UCL. None of this would have been possible without philanthropic support from the charity and the generosity of the donors who believed in the ambition of this project. This support has turned a bold vision into a tangible reality and stands as a testament to what collaboration and philanthropy can accomplish together to achieve world-leading innovation and research in eye health.”
