Hospital Named Best Institutional and Public Sector Design of the Year

Dubai, November 6: Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD), the first overseas branch of the 200-year old ophthalmic institution Moorfields London, was highly praised for the design of its facility, in Dubai Health Care City, at the Commercial Interior Design Awards, held at the Grosvenor Hotel. 

The hospital, designed by Mohamed Kafel, Design Manager of Hamilton Designs, was named 'Best Design of the Year: Institutional and Public Sector.' The judges described the hospital as an interpretation of the venerable British institution that perfectly blended aesthetic beauty and function.

MEHD's CEO and Medical Director Dr. Chris Canning was present at the awards ceremony. "We are delighted by the jury's decision. Although we did not set out expressly to create a facility that was cutting-edge in design and unique in colour, lighting and architectural form, that is exactly what Mohamed Kafel gave us. He richly deserved this award," he said.

Mohamed Kafel was very pleased with the award from Commercial Interior Design: "Moorfields was a project where my only parameter was space. The brief was to create a space that had a sense of flow and allowed for efficient work processes.

"I was given free rein in terms of colour and style, and was able to use a range of lighting palettes. Lighting is crucial for people with sight problems, because it can be frustrating if it is too bright or too dim. The intention was to create a place that feels restful and vibrant, but is functional at the same time."

MEHD is located in the Al Razi building in Dubai Health Care City, and opened in June, 2007.

-Ends-

About Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai
Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD) is the first overseas branch of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the oldest and one of the largest centres for ophthalmic treatment, teaching and research in the world.

Located at the Al Razi Medical Complex in Dubai Health Care City, the facility provides daycase surgery and outpatient diagnostic and treatment services, including emergency care, for a variety of surgical and non-surgical eye conditions.  

MEHD will also raise standards for research and teaching in the region through its partnership with the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center.

MEHD is owned and managed by the NHS Foundation Trust, and maintains close links with London, including a telelink with sophisticated videoconferencing technology, to ensure that patients in the GCC receive the best eye care treatment in the world.

For further information, please see MEHD's website at www.moorfields.ae.

© Press Release 2007