UCL Partners is one of UK’s first Academic Health Science Centres

UCL Partners (UCLP) has today been designated as one of the UK's first academic health science centres (AHSC), strengthening UCL's position as Europe's leading health research powerhouse. The Partnership is one of just five bids which satisfied the Department of Health's rigorous selection process, demonstrating that it possessed excellence in research, education and patient care. UCLP is UCL's partnership with four of London's biggest and best known hospitals and research centres: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust (GOSH); Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust;  and UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Partnership will bring together the combined skill and expertise of its clinicians and researchers to focus initially on seven areas: infectious diseases neurological disorders eyes and vision cardiovascular child health women's health immunology and transplantation. Commenting on the award of AHSC status, Sir Cyril Chantler, Chairman of UCL Partners, said: 'This is fantastic news, and a great tribute to the skill, expertise and team work of clinicians and researchers within UCL Partners. More than that, it is a tremendous boost for our plans to work together to improve the health of the patients that we serve, developing new techniques and treatments for patients in London, the UK and beyond. Our partners are already world leaders in many areas of medical research.