London hospitals pool resources

Moorfields Eye Hospital is one of five world-renowned medical research centres pooling resources and expertise in London to create a new academic science health partnership.

To be known as UCL Partners, the group claims it will produce world-class research in nine key areas, including ophthalmology.

Moorfields chief executive John Pelly said of the partnership: 'Working with a wider network of academic and healthcare organisations will undoubtedly be beneficial. In particular, it will give us a greater voice in accessing research funding and developing new treatments for people with visual impairments.'

As well as Moorfields, UCL Partners includes University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Royal Free Hampstead and University College Hospital.