Set to open later this summer, NHS leaders have also confirmed the new name as ‘Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital’, reflecting the proud history of eye care in Sunderland and the city’s reputation as a leading specialist eye centre.
With the build completed on schedule in just over two years, the NHS will now enter a mobilisation phase and start making final preparations over the coming weeks to get the building ready to welcome patients later in the summer.
The completion of the build marks a major milestone for the city and the region as the NHS faces ever-increasing demand on specialist eye care services. The new Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital will see all clinical services move across from the existing site on Queen Alexandra Road, including the region’s Cataract Treatment Centre. This has been set up with an extra theatre so that it can treat even more patients in future.
The new city centre location is also something that has been praised by patients, with much better access and transport connections for people who come from across the North East, for their specialist eye care in Sunderland.
The development has been made possible thanks to partnership working between the NHS, Sunderland City Council and construction partner Kier. NHS staff, patients and partners from the voluntary sector including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), have also been heavily involved in helping design the new facility working closely with Kier.
Long-term patient, 40-year-old Michael Boys lives in Morpeth, Northumberland, and was at today’s key handover event. He has been under the care of eye specialists in Sunderland since birth as he has congenital cataracts and developed glaucoma as a teenager.
Michael said: “I was invited to the groundbreaking ceremony when the building work started, and it is amazing that the new Eye Hospital is now fully complete. The new city centre location will make it so much easier to get here when it opens, especially for someone like me travelling all the way from Northumberland.
“I am excited for the fantastic staff when they move in and for all the patients when the new Eye Hospital finally opens later in the summer. The care on offer in Sunderland is very special and I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Ken Bremner MBE, Chief Executive of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Today is not only a huge day for us as a Trust, but for the NHS regionally and nationally as we continue to build services fit for the future. We are exceptionally proud that Sunderland is home to the North East’s only specialist eye hospital, but we know its impact is felt far and wide, beyond the city, thanks to the care and treatment we deliver.
“Getting the keys to the building is the next step in this journey as we continue to look after people’s eyes, from our very young patients, to helping those in their later years. They will soon have access to an outstanding facility to match the excellent eye care inside.
“I also would like to thank our partners Kier and Sunderland City Council who have helped turn our long-awaited plans for a new Eye Hospital into reality and, of course, our staff, our patients and our many supporters who have played a part in helping make this possible.”
Councillor Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Our residents deserve the best, and this – as we have seen today – is a world-class facility, that will deliver exceptional care to patients. As people from outside of Sunderland come to access this hospital, they will see our transforming city centre and know that this is a place of ambition and a fantastic place to live, work and play.”
Dan Doherty, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We are proud to have delivered Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital in partnership with Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust – creating a facility that will play a vital role in supporting high-quality eye care across the region.
“This project is a testament to the strength of collaboration between all partners involved, from clinical teams and stakeholders through to our supply chain, each helping to shape a hospital that reflects the needs of its users. We are incredibly proud of our project team and everyone who has contributed to bringing this scheme to life.
“By combining that collaborative approach with sustainable infrastructure, we have created a future-ready facility designed to perform for the long-term health of the community.”
The new Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital will open to patients later this summer. Patients should continue to attend their appointments as usual at Sunderland Eye Infirmary until they are told otherwise.
In the coming weeks, the NHS will share more detailed information about the phased opening dates with a public information campaign planned so that people know exactly when services will move.
During the development of Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital, all three partners united in supporting its social value for the city and its lasting benefits. This has included:
• £14m of project spend directed to local suppliers and a further £12.9m invested in small to medium enterprises (SMEs). This has backed regional businesses and strengthened the local economy.
• The project has also created seven full-time equivalent employment opportunities, while 288 hours have been dedicated to careers support for students and pre-employment beneficiaries across the region – helping to inspire future talent and open up routes into the construction industry.
• The new Eye Hospital’s energy centre, a standalone building neighbouring the hospital, will also support sustainability and environmental credentials as part of the wider green plans of the NHS and council.
