"People have a great affinity for the hospital but they recognise that it needs to move"

A proposal to build a new education, research and eye care centre at St Pancras was discussed at the Moorfields Eye Hospital annual general meeting (10 July, London).

Moorfields Eye Hospital chief executive, David Probert, told OT that if the proposal was approved, construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 with the first patients to be treated at the facility in 2025–2026.

He highlighted that there is a desire for a building that is fit-for-purpose.

“We are currently in a building that is over 200 years old,” he shared.

“We have shaped it as much as we can to make it an innovative centre, one that is comfortable for patients and staff, but if I am honest, we are probably at the limits of what we can do,” Mr Probert highlighted.

A consultation is currently underway seeking feedback on the initiative. Members of the public can have their say online.

Mr Probert shared that submissions to the consultation had acknowledged the need for change.

“It’s early days in our consultation but I think the themes that are coming through are quite consistent. People have a great affinity for the hospital but they recognise that it does need to move,” he said.

Image credit: Laurence Derbyshire