Kier hands over £50m Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital
The contractor has delivered the 112,000 sq ft facility on behalf of the council and the South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
Located in the Riverside Sunderland regeneration zone, the purpose-built facility will bring specialist eye care services to patients across the North East, with the hospital now set to go through a phased launch period ahead of becoming fully operational later in the summer.
The hospital includes a 24/7 emergency department for eye injuries, a retina unit for macular conditions, a surgical day unit, operating theatres, and a children’s outpatient department.
The low carbon building has been constructed with a dedicated energy centre, and in terms of social value, more than £14m of project spend has been directed to local suppliers, including £12.9m invested in SMEs.
Throughout the project build, Kier also dedicated 288 hours to careers support for students to help open up routes into the construction industry.
Kier is also delivering Culture House, a community venue also within the Riverside Sunderland scheme, which will provide flexible space for events and public activities.
Planning permission for the new Eye Hospital was originally granted in November 2021 with a budget of £36m and a subsequent application was approved in November 2022, designed to future-proof potential expansions.
Kier was awarded the build contract in September 2023, with work beginning on site later that year.
Dan Doherty, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “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.”
Cllr 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, 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.”
