29 July 2026
The Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital fully opened to the public on 23 July.
The purpose-built facility is set to help meet growing demand for specialist ophthalmology care, serving communities across the North East and North Cumbria.
Departments have transferred to the new hospital in phases over several weeks and all are now fully operational from the Riverside Sunderland site.
Ajay Kotagiri, clinical director for eye services at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for our patients, our staff and everyone connected with our eye care services.”
With the move complete, Sunderland Eye Infirmary closes its doors for the final time after serving patients for more than 80 years.
Kotagiri commented: “Sunderland Eye Infirmary has cared for generations of people. It will always hold a special place in our history. However, Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital gives us a modern environment equipped with the latest technology. It will allow us to deliver outstanding care now and for many years to come.”
The new facility has been designed to improve the patient experience and support teams providing treatments.
Ken Bremner MBE, chief executive of the trust, said: “It is a tremendous achievement by everyone involved in getting us to this day. I want to thank everyone who has played a part in planning and building this fantastic facility.”
“It is a very proud moment in our history and will see us offer eye care for Sunderland and our region for many decades to come,” he said.
The 24/7 Eye Emergency Department was the first to open on 11 July.
One of the department’s early patients was four-year-old Jude Petrie, who attended with his mother Natasha Phelps.
Jude had experienced a rash around one of his eyes following a procedure to treat a squint in both eyes at Sunderland Eye Infirmary late last month.
Describing the experience of receiving treatment at the hospital, Phelps said: “It’s lovely, it’s so new and Jude knows he was one of its first patients. Everyone has been really good with him and made sure he’s been looked after.”
She said that the hospital is easier to get to as it’s more central, adding: “It’s got the park next to it and we’ve been to the café. I think it will make a big difference.”
Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital
The site is the region’s first all-electric powered hospital and has been constructed with a range of environmental features including a green roof on its energy centre, air source heat pumps and solar panels.
The site has electric vehicle charging points and disabled spaces in its 90-space car park. Cycle storage is also available for staff.
The hospital operates in a paper-light way, with teams using electronic records.
The hospital hosts a coffee shop and café, run by the Royal Voluntary Service charity, a baby feeding space, a quiet/faith room, and is also the base for eye care liaison officers.
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