Located at the heart of the Riverside Sunderland development, the hospital – which will transform eye care services across the North East – will move through a phased transition period, allowing services to be safely transferred ahead of becoming fully operational later in the summer.
Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital includes operating theatres, outpatient departments, diagnostic facilities, and dedicated treatment spaces. Throughout the design process, Kier worked closely with clinicians and staff from the Trust to ensure the building reflected their operational needs, supported efficient patient pathways, and delivered high-quality, user-focused environments.
A key feature of the development is its dedicated energy centre, supporting a low-carbon, resilient facility aligned with the sustainability ambitions of both the Trust and Sunderland City Council.
Dan Doherty, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We are proud to have delivered Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital – creating a facility that will play a transformational role in delivering high-quality eye care for local people right 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.”
Councillor Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, commented: “We want Sunderland to be a place where residents enjoy a healthy, happy life and our residents deserve world-class healthcare, delivered from facilities like these, in the heart of the city, where they can easily access them.
“I’m looking forward to seeing this new facility in use, bringing more people to this transforming part of our city centre.”
Ken Bremner MBE, chief executive of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, added: “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.”