Published on: 9 September 2025
With the new Eye Hospital on the horizon, we’re introducing the brilliant teams making it happen. Over the coming months, we’ll be spotlighting our teams from clinical experts to project leads.
To start, meet the Project Team for the Eye Hospital New Build.
Left to Right: Mark Doherty (Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Lead for the New Build), Faye Ridley (Business Change Officer), Ceri Bentham (Programme Manager), Nick Raw (Project Manager) and Lauri Elliott (Business Change Manager).
Tell us about your role and day to day work.
Mark: “My role involves the management of glaucoma and cataract in clinics and operating theatre settings.”
Faye: “I support my colleagues Ceri, Nick and Lauri in the Project Office. I help out with all things behind the scenes as we prepare for the move to the new hospital. This includes planning how each department will transition to the new site and making sure everything is in place for a smooth move.”
Ceri: “I provide oversight and co-ordination for the whole new Eye Hospital programme – from workforce and comms, to procurement, finance and assurance; working closely with Nick who leads on construction. I’m currently planning the mobilisation process. This is where we prepare the new hospital for clinical services and then move our clinical teams across.”
Nick: “I work with our partners Kier (the builders) and Sunderland City Council on the design and construction details across the project. A lot of my work involves reviewing drawings, specifications and other construction detail. I also talk to Trust staff to make sure the details are correct. Healthcare facilities like hospitals are much more complicated than other buildings. They also have much higher standards. A lot of my job is problem solving.”
Lauri: “I work as a Business Change Manager, which means I help support teams through changes linked to big projects and new ways of working. For the new build project, I work alongside Ceri, Nick and Faye to plan and coordinate what needs to happen, keep everything on track, and make sure staff are kept in the loop and feel supported. I also help organise staff engagement sessions, create project documents and timelines, and support the move from the current site to the new build.”
What do you like best about your role?
Mark: “Working with such a professional, empathic and affable clinical team.”
Faye: “I enjoy the variety of my job. Being part of a project of this scale is a completely new experience for me, and it is exciting to be involved in something so impactful.”
Ceri: “The diversity of the work – and working with this team and other clinical and corporate teams across the organisation, to make sure we meet the project deadlines and deliver the building on time.”
Nick: “It’s challenging and varied, and the days rarely go slowly. It’s equally exciting and stressful. I get to work with lots of different people from different organisations and backgrounds. There are some real characters in the construction industry and just as many within hospital Trusts! I enjoy the technical details as well as seeing it come to life when it's built.”
Lauri: “I like working with different teams and the variety of work we get involved in with each project. It’s really rewarding to see everything come together and know that the work we’re all doing will make a difference to staff and patients.”
What will you miss about the current Sunderland Eye Infirmary?
Mark: “I started working at Sunderland Eye Infirmary in 2003 as a junior doctor. I was tremendously impressed by the legacy behind such a historic institution. It has always been striking how proud staff are to be associated with the Eye Infirmary and it is always clear how appreciative our patients are to have such a nationally renowned centre of excellence so close to home.”
Faye: “Sunderland Eye Infirmary is a beautiful building with a lot of history!”
Ceri: “I hadn’t really been to Sunderland Eye Infirmary before I started working on this project in March 2024, so not a long time to make memories! But what I will remember is the strong team ethos and the friendly culture. I hope they can take this with them to their new hospital.”
Nick: “It’s a beautiful building in a lovely setting with some lovely original features. I’ll miss the days spent in the project office looking out over the front of the building.”
Lauri: “What I’ll miss most about the current hospital is how old and quaint it is – it has so much character. I always say it reminds me of an episode of Call the Midwife when I’m walking through the corridors! There’s a real sense of history in the building.”
What are you looking forward to when it comes to the new Eye Hospital?
Mark: “I'm looking forward to a purpose-built facility that is appropriate to treating our patients in a modern and holistic fashion.”
Faye: “I am looking forward to moving into our new modern hospital and seeing all the planning come to life.”
Ceri: “Delivering a project that will provide an improved environment for both staff and patients.”
Nick: “When the building is complete! Although the work won’t stop there. It will be a major turning point and from then on we will mostly be managing everything internally rather than with our project partners.”
Lauri: “Even though I won’t be based at the new hospital (sadly!), I kind of wish I was. It’s already looking really impressive, even as just a shell! I can’t wait to see it finished with all the fixtures and fittings in place. It’s going to be such a fresh, modern space, and a fantastic environment for both staff and patients. I’ll definitely be finding excuses to visit!”
Tell us a random fact about you or your job.
Mark: “I also hold clinics in the three Durham prisons - Frankland, Durham and Low Newton. This allows a regular and refreshing change of scenery.”
Ceri: “I’ve worked in the NHS for over 38 years. 30 of those have been in South Tyneside and Sunderland.”
Nick: “I’ve been described as a serial hobbyist in the past. I started making my own beer a couple of years ago and that seems to have stuck.”
