Architect's impression of the entrance of Oriel

Plans for Oriel, a new state-of-the-art eye care, research and education centre, have been given the green light.

The joint initiative between Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity, which will see services move to a brand-new integrated centre on the site of St Pancras Hospital, has now been given final NHS and government approval.

This significant milestone is the final step before construction starts in 2023 and it follows Camden Council granting full planning permission for the centre in August. The preferred contractor for the project, Bouygues UK, has developed a full construction programme with the building due to open in 2027.

Architect’s impression of the facade of Oriel

The new centre – part of the New Hospital Programme, the biggest hospital building programme in a generation – will harness the expertise of the partners under one roof and will enable closer collaborative working between clinicians and researchers to speed up the delivery of the highest quality treatments and therapies for patients.

This is a real moment of celebration for us all. We’ve been working in partnership with our generous donors because philanthropy has a vital role in securing the future of eye health on a global scale. We believe the new centre is going to provide patients, who are at the heart of everything we do, with the best treatments, faster.

Robert Dufton, Moorfields Eye Charity chief executive

The new centre will be located in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, an internationally renowned hub for science and innovation. It is close to the UCL Bloomsbury campus and several of our NHS, commercial and charity partners.

Philanthropy is critical to the realisation of these ambitious plans and we’re pleased with the level of interest so far. 

Supporting Oriel

To find out more about Oriel 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.