We are thrilled to award a £2.5M grant to Moorfields Eye Charity for a new centre for advancing eye health. The ambitious project is the result of a unique collaboration (known as ‘Oriel’) between Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity that will move services from City Road, Islington to a new, integrated centre in St Pancras, Camden.
Our grant will contribute towards improving eye health and the establishment of the new centre, which will bring together researchers, clinicians and patients under one roof. World-leading experts will have fresh opportunities to collaborate and innovate through access to cutting-edge facilities and technologies, and patients will have greater access to the latest treatments and care.
World-class education and training will be a key part of the new centre’s success, offering students and staff opportunities to enhance their skills onsite. We hope our support will enable innovation and collaboration to flourish by integrating education, clinical practice and technology – creating a learning environment for the eye health experts of the future.
Soma Pujari, Executive Trustee, Kusuma Trust said: “We are privileged to support Moorfields Eye Charity and the Oriel project, a groundbreaking initiative that will transform the future of eye care, research, and education. We hope our contribution will aid the development of world-class facilities that will inspire and educate the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals.”
Robert Dufton, chief executive, Moorfields Eye Charity, said: “Philanthropy has played an integral role in the funding of this new centre and we are proud to be working with Kusuma Trust. We are incredibly grateful to the Trustees for their most generous support that will help ensure Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology continue to be world leaders in ophthalmic education and health care Innovation.”
Dhanes Thomas, consultant ophthalmologist and clinical director for Oriel, said: “We are hugely grateful to Kusuma Trust for supporting the new centre for advancing eye health. Patients will benefit hugely from the new facilities where we are creating an environment where innovation will thrive. Through this special partnership we will advance education and learning in a world-class centre that will enable us to transform the lives of people affected by sight loss.”
Construction of the new centre continues at pace and is due to open in 2027. We wish the Oriel team the very best!