South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has unveiled plans to build an iconic new Eye Hospital in the centre of Sunderland.
Sunderland Eye Infirmary is one of very few specialist standalone eye hospitals in the whole country and the region’s only dedicated centre for ophthalmology care. It is home to the Regional Cataract Treatment Centre and widely regarded across the NHS, both regionally and nationally, as a centre of excellence for eye services, caring for patients from across the North East, Cumbria and beyond.
The current facilities are now over 75 years old with a costly and ageing infrastructure that does not reflect the world class treatment and outstanding NHS care taking place inside. Building a brand new, fit-for-purpose Eye Hospital has long been part of the trust’s strategic ambitions and has now been made possible thanks to partnership working with Sunderland City Council.
All clinical services currently provided from Sunderland Eye Infirmary will transfer to the new state-of-the-art facility to be delivered from a new modern, purpose-built environment in a much more accessible city centre location.
As part of its plans, the trust is also keen to continue expanding its specialist ophthalmology services in the community through its satellite hubs across South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham, including the introduction of a new clinic at Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre in South Shields.
The trust hopes to start building work in 2022 (subject to planning approval) and is aiming for the new Eye Hospital to open in 2024.
Ken Bremner, chief executive of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our ambitions for a new Eye Hospital in Sunderland have been a long time in the making. Announcing our development plans is a historic moment for the Trust and represents a major investment into the local NHS thanks to our collaboration with Sunderland City Council.
“In these uncertain times and especially as we continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, this is an extremely positive and welcome development and demonstrates our commitment to working with local partners to deliver the very best healthcare for the people we serve. We now look forward to involving patients, staff and the wider public in the design process ahead and as we work together to progress plans to the next stage.”
Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “We are delighted to work with the Trust on this exciting development for the City and help deliver a new world class facility for Sunderland Eye Infirmary as part of our Riverside Sunderland plans. We look forward to working with the NHS in the weeks and months ahead as plans progress.”
