A CGI image showing what the entrance of Oriel will look like.

Our vision is to create a new centre which enables Moorfields and UCL to provide world-leading eye care, research and education benefitting patients across the UK and globally. It will deliver breakthrough treatments to the front line of patient care and revolutionise eye health.

Oriel is a joint initiative - a partnership with Moorfields, UCL and Moorfields Eye Charity which will see services move from current premises near Old Street, Islington to a new, integrated centre on the St Pancras Hospital site in Camden. The new centre is scheduled to open in 2027, creating an environment where researchers and clinicians can work collaboratively.

Philanthropy is key to delivery of this global eye health centre. 

Major milestones

Construction continues at pace on the site of the new centre for advancing eye health. We expect to reach the highest level of the building, level 10, by the end of 2024. It will be followed by roof works, fitting out and external works.

Footage of work on the site

Designing for the future

The building has been co-designed with patients, staff and people with sight loss. At the building’s heart, there will be a central atrium which will link clinical, research and education spaces.

The interior has been designed by users including people with disabilities and sight loss through innovative use of material, colour and technology.

I have been part of the Oriel project since the very beginning. I have seen the depth of consultations and engagement carried out with a diverse group of people to capture their views on all aspects relating to the project.

Bhavini Makwana, patient at Moorfields Eye Hospital, member of the Oriel patient and partner advisory groups, and engagement manager at London Vision

Our role

Philanthropy has a critical role to play in realising the new centre for advancing eye health. In partnership with UCL, we’re committed to raising over £100 million to achieve these ambitious plans.

The campaign has raised £73 million in capital commitments to date. 

We’re delighted with the support we’ve received from donors and look forward to new and continuing conversations with others interested in helping us realise our vision.

Watch our video and find out what the new centre means to patients like Elaine, Chris and Khamani.

Oriel philanthropy film

Planning for the future, the new eye health centre will:

  • be designed with the experience of patients in mind;
  • embrace new technologies to develop excellence and innovation in clinical care;
  • attract and retain the world’s leading clinical, health education and research talent.

Shaped to meet the needs of patients and deliver outstanding eye care, groundbreaking research and world-leading education, the new eye health centre will harness new technologies to help accelerate diagnoses and bring new treatments to millions of patients globally.

Supporting the new eye health centre

To find out more about the new centre and our fundraising to realise this world-leading project, please get in touch with Rachel Jones on rachel.jones310@nhs.net or 020 7521 4610.