Located at the heart of the Riverside Sunderland, the new hospital forms a key part of a regeneration scheme considered to be one of the most ambitious in the UK, and is central to the council’s vision to create a vibrant, sustainable city centre.
Following handover, the hospital will now move through a phased transition period, allowing services to be safely and effectively transferred ahead of becoming fully operational later in the summer.
Bringing together a wide range of specialist ophthalmology services under one roof, the hospital offers improved access, enhanced clinical environments, and a better overall experience for patients, staff and visitors. Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital will replace Sunderland Eye Infirmary and will open this summer.
Designed with patient care at its core, the facility 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 reflects their operational needs, supporting efficient patient pathways and delivering 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.
Delivered in close collaboration with partners, the project also forms part of Kier’s wider contribution to the Riverside Sunderland regeneration programme, which includes the delivery of Culture House - a major new cultural and community venue in the city centre designed to provide immersive, flexible space for learning, events and public engagement.
The completion of the hospital marks a major milestone for the region, increasing capacity and helping to meet growing demand for specialist eye care services.
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.
Long-term patient, 40-year-old Michael Boys, lives in Morpeth, Northumberland and was at a dedicated handover event to mark the project milestone. 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.
Councillor Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, said:
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, 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.
Social value has been a key priority throughout the delivery of Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital, reflecting a shared commitment to creating lasting benefits for the local community. Over £14m of project spend has been directed to local suppliers, including £12.9m invested in SMEs, supporting regional businesses and strengthening 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. Kier continues to strengthen its position as a leading delivery partner for the UK healthcare sector, having recently been appointed to the New Hospitals Programme (NHP) framework, reinforcing its role in delivering next-generation healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
This builds on a strong healthcare portfolio spanning community diagnostic centres in Stockton-on-Tees, Cheshire and Mansfield, and major acute and specialist facilities including Golden Jubilee Hospital in Glasgow and Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Kier is also delivering the new Edinburgh Eye Infirmary and an extension at Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds, showcasing its expertise in modern, sustainable healthcare environments.
