24 July 2025
Sunderland Eye Infirmary is counting down to the opening of the region’s new eye hospital, on track to open in summer 2026.
The new eye hospital, located in the city centre, will serve patients from across the North East and North Cumbria.
Work on the new site began in December 2023, and a timelapse video has now been released to mark one year until the opening of the hospital.
When it opens, the new facility will house all clinical services currently delivered from the Queen Alexandra Road site, including the Cataract Treatment Centre.
This move is expected to play a “pivotal role” in helping to reduce waiting lists in the region.
Dr Ajay Kotagiri, clinical director of ophthalmology services at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, described a visit to the development, commenting: “It was brilliant to visit the new hospital site and amazing to see the actual space we will be working in from next summer.”
“The clinical areas are so spacious and well-designed and we can’t wait to be able to see and treat patients in this fantastic new facility,” he added.
Alongside the clinical spaces, the new hospital will also have rooms dedicated to wellbeing, including a breastfeeding space, a Changing Places room, baby changing facilities, and a quiet and faith room. A cafe will also be on site.
A dedicated children’s area will also feature in the new hospital, with a waiting area and rooms tailored to their care.
The new eye hospital is being built by Kier in partnership with Sunderland City Council as part of the Riverside Sunderland development.
Councillor Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for business, housing, and regeneration, said: “Once complete, this world-class facility will be one of the few standalone specialist eye hospitals anywhere in the UK and the region’s only dedicated specialist centre for ophthalmology care.”
Johnston suggested the development would position Sunderland as “a national centre for innovation in ophthalmic care,” and also provide a boost to the city economy.
The Trust’s STS Charity has launched a Vision Appeal aiming to raise £1 million to support ongoing investment into technology and equipment.
Kotagiri described the appeal as a "great way for patients and local people to get involved with the new eye hospital.”
He added: “We want to stay at the forefront of eye research and innovation in Sunderland and the STS Charity’s support will help us do that. It will help us fund equipment and technology, over and above what we already have.”
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