News
World-class eye health centre in London named
A new, world-class centre for eye care, research, and education, opening in Camden in 2027 has been officially named. A partnership between Moorfields Eye Hospital, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and Moorfields Eye Charity, the new centre will be called Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health and is expected to open its doors to patients in St Pancras, Camden, in Summer 2027. The name of the centre describes the partnership, emphasising collaboration and the combined expertise of the partners involved. Harnessing the expertise of clinicians and researchers under one roof, the centre will deliver the highest quality eye care, research, and education. With state-of-the-art facilities, patients will have access to more efficient treatments, as well as being able to take part in research more easily. The centre is part of the New Hospital Programme, a national initiative to transform how healthcare is delivered in the UK. The centre has been designed with input from patients and sight loss organisations to ensure it meets a range of diverse needs and delivers an exceptional patient experience. For staff, students, and volunteers the centre will provide modern spaces to collaborate that will foster innovation between clinicians and researchers. There will also be dedicated well-being spaces and facilities to relax and recharge in, including a garden roof
Two thirds of consultants want to work for new NHS online hospital
Almost two thirds of NHS consultants are keen to work for the NHS’s online hospital when the service launches next year, a new poll has revealed. Six in ten consultants (60%) said they would be interested in working for NHS Online alongside their current NHS roles – many more than will be needed to run the service. The survey of nearly 300 consultants and
terrace with views across London. Moorfields Eye Hospital services currently provided at City Road will move to the new centre in 2027, including children’s services currently provided at the Richard Desmond Children’s Eye Centre, clinics at Cayton Street, and Moorfields Private. The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology on Bath
Street will also relocate to the new centre. No services will remain at the City Road or Bath Street sites for either organisation. Moving to Camden will bring the partners
closer to other important health and research partners, including the Bloomsbury campus of UCL, the Francis Crick Institute, University College London Hospital, and Great Ormond Street Hospital. United under one roof at Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health, Moorfields, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity will continue to operate under their own names.
New pandemic strategy published
The UK’s readiness for future pandemics is being overhauled through the publication of a new Pandemic Preparedness Strategy, backed by around £1 billion of investment in health protection measures. The strategy includes:
l PPE stockpiles will continue to be replenished with a variety of products and sizes.
l Departmental pandemic response plans will be reviewed to ensure government services and critical national infrastructure can be maintained effectively in a pandemic.
l An ‘All Pandemic Hazards Bill’ will be drafted to ensure the government has legislative options ready to review and introduce as necessary in response to a range of pathogens. This will sit alongside a suite of prepared options for community protection measures to support swift decision-making and prioritisation to keep people safe.
l UKHSA will build a new set of services to manage 10
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I May 2026
large scale testing, contact tracing and other scaled public health response measures’.
l Chemicals and equipment stockpiles needed for testing will be built up further to protect against supply risks that could develop in the early stages of a pandemic.
l Data requirements to support decision- making will be reviewed to ensure information needed in a pandemic response is available, transparent, and can be shared quickly between organisations and with the public.
The new strategy replaces a previous strategy for Pandemic Influenza published in 2011 and builds on wider reforms taking place through the 10-Year Health Plan. Publication of the strategy comes as the UK Government also publishes its response to the UK’s COVID-19 Inquiry Module 2 report, which can be viewed at:
https://tinyurl.com/42ve96a4 View the New Pandemic Preparedness Strategy at:
https://tinyurl.com/59zbh79w
specialist doctors also found that nearly half (48%) would be willing to offer at least four hours a week of their time, with the opportunity to care for patients innovatively, work flexibly and improve patient experience among their top reasons for wanting to sign up. NHS Online, which will see its first patients next year, is expected to deliver up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments in its first three years – four times more than an average NHS Trust. Patients needing specialist care are expected to be treated more quickly as a result of the new virtual service, which aims to modernise the delivery of healthcare by providing triage for patients through the NHS App as well as video consultations with doctors. The service will speed up specialist care
by digitally connecting patients with expert clinicians across England, no matter where they are in the country, providing faster access to treatments. Earlier this year, the NHS announced that nine common conditions, including menopause and prostate problems, would be the first to be treated by the NHS Online service when it launches. More patients are now set to benefit as it will also be available to people with recurring urinary tract infections or suspected polycystic ovaries – in addition to the nine conditions previously announced. Professor Stella Vig, National Clinical Director
for Elective Care at NHS England and Consultant Surgeon, said: “It’s fantastic to see that consultants and specialist doctors are hugely supportive of the NHS’s new online hospital, with nearly two thirds willing to offer their time for this revolutionary service alongside their current roles. NHS Online will transform the way we deliver planned care, offering patients the choice to have an online appointment with a specialist anywhere in England. The service will make a real difference to patients’ lives...We’ve also expanded the list of conditions which NHS Online will treat, so that even more patients will be able to benefit when the service launches next year.”
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