It also means the old Eye Infirmary has finally closed its doors for good and it gives us a chance to relive your memories of it, as first shared by Sunderland Echo readers earlier this year.
It was back in February that lots of you shared your memories of the old infirmary and the way its staff provided outstanding service.
One reader remembered: ““I went to the Eye Infirmary regularly from 1953 until 1961 and had to go on the machines to put the lion into the cage. There was talk at one point of me having an operation on my eye and I ran around screaming as I was scared.”
Another said: “I worked at Sunderland Eye Infirmary from 1984 for 38 years .it was a pleasure and a privilege working there with a great team of people around the hospital. I never classed it as a job as I enjoyed every minute x Happy days x.”
One more said: “said the old eye infirmary saved her eyesight when she was about 6 years old.
“Mam realised I wasn't putting it on the whole pain and not being able to see thing - she drove me to the eye infirmary - they found I had a badly ulcerated cornea which was ready to burst - it was treated - eyesight saved. Thank you so much.”
The old eye infirmary was built between 1938 and 1940 on Queen Alexandra Road, and designed by architect Stanley W. Milburn.
While staff and patients began utilizing the building around 1940, the disruptive nature of World War II delayed its official ceremonial opening until April 1946 when a young Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) officially opened the facility.
1. Flashback to 2016
Consultant Lawrence Gnanaraj and Matron Denise Johnson were pictured at Sunderland Eye Infirmary in 2016. | se
2. At the Eye Infirmary
Health Chief Edgar Turner looks at one of the operating microscopes under the guidance of Sister Ann Candlish at the Sunderland Eye Infirmary Open Day in 1986. | se
3. The then Princess Elizabeth leaves Sunderland Eye Infirmary after its official opening in 1946. Our writer believes it's time for a new home and identifies where.
The then Princess Elizabeth leaves Sunderland Eye Infirmary after its official opening in 1946.
1. Flashback to 2016
Consultant Lawrence Gnanaraj and Matron Denise Johnson were pictured at Sunderland Eye Infirmary in 2016. | se
2. At the Eye Infirmary
Health Chief Edgar Turner looks at one of the operating microscopes under the guidance of Sister Ann Candlish at the Sunderland Eye Infirmary Open Day in 1986. | se
3. The then Princess Elizabeth leaves Sunderland Eye Infirmary after its official opening in 1946. Our writer believes it's time for a new home and identifies where.
The then Princess Elizabeth leaves Sunderland Eye Infirmary after its official opening in 1946.