Camden Council has given the green light for plans to deliver a new £250m eye centre hospital at King’s Cross in London
The Oriel eye centre is a joint initiative between Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Moorfields), UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) and Moorfields Eye Charity.
Subject to approval by the GLA and conditions being met, Moorfields and the UCL IoO will be able to relocate from their current buildings on City Road, Islington, to the St Pancras Hospital site, in Camden.
This is a significant milestone for the project, which the partners have been working on together since 2013.
Engagement on the new eye centre is ongoing, with a series of events taking place throughout the summer to involve staff, patients and partner organisations in the design of the building’s interior.
Designed by lead architect, Penoyre & Prasad, along with AECOM providing expertise on engineering and sustainability, and White Artkitekter on interiors and landscaping, plans for the new building include an open and welcoming environment with highly innovative and flexible layout.
‘Delivering world-leading patient care and scientific research’
Minister for health Edward Argar, said: “The Oriel eye centre will enable London to deliver world-leading patient care and scientific research under the same roof, as part of the biggest hospital infrastructure programme in a generation to build back better.
“The grant of planning approval is an important next step, and I look forward to working with the trust deliver this centre.
“We are backing our NHS and will be building a total of 48 hospitals by 2030, backed by an initial £3.7bn.”
David Probert, chief executive of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “This is truly a significant milestone for Oriel and the future of patient-centred eye care.
“The new eye health centre will be a world first and has been designed to accommodate the greatest integration between research and patient care.”
“Collaboration is key to this project and we are looking forward to continuing to work closely with our staff, patients and partners so that we build a new centre that is not only fit-for-purpose, but a beacon of excellence for patient-focused eye care.”
