Thousands of people have made the hospital tick over the years and we are taking a look back at some of them.
It’s an exciting time but so are these hospital scenes from the Echo archives.
Relive the days of gas masks in the basement, Christmas ceremonies and milestones in laser surgery.
1. Raising a toast in 2015
Retired nurses, left to right, Sheila Hunter, Maureen Watkinson, Pat Johnson, Dot Gardner, Mary Hepton, Maureen Harrison, Elizabeth Thompson, and Dorothy Wilson, who all started their nursing careers 50 years earlier at Monkwearmouth Hospital. Photo: Tim Richardson
2. Reaching a milestone in 2008
The day when the hospital performed its 1,000th laser surgery procedure for varicose veins 14 years ago. Photo: se
3. Ruth says a fond farewell
Retiring from Monkwearmouth Hospital after 35 years was Ruth Hughes (seated front centre), pictured with some of her colleagues in 2007. Photo: KB
4. End of an era in 2012
St Benedict's Hospice Light Up A Life Carol Service 10 years ago, the last to be held at the Monkwearmouth Hospital site. Photo: Picture by Peter Berry