Sunderland Eye Infirmary seeing double


Published: 23rd November 2017

The SEI Research Team

Sunderland Eye Infirmary is seeing double after being nominated for two prestigious national Ophthalmology Awards.

The Ophthalmology Honours are designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work being carried out across the UK, identifying exceptional initiatives and demonstrating clinical excellence.

Sunderland Eye Infirmary is the only dedicated eye hospital in the region and part of City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. It provides eye services to approximately 800,000 people from Sunderland and the surrounding areas.

Over the last eight years the Infirmary has been developing clinical research and embedding it throughout the hospital so it becomes a routine part of clinical care. It is now nationally recognised as a centre for research excellence.

The team were nominated for the pivotal role they have played in increasing the number of clinical trials and dedicated research slots in routine clinics. They were also recognised for the work they have to done to increase the amount of consultants and community Optometrists engaged in research.

Steve, who has been an Ophthalmology Nurse for over 15 years, was put forward for the role by a colleague who credits him with instrumental in helping develop the research unit into one of the largest ophthalmology clinical trials unit in the UK with over 20 active trials currently in progress.

The Awards, which will be presented during a ceremony at BMA House in London on Wednesday 6 December, have been independently judged by a panel of national experts in ophthalmology care.

Tina Morrell, Directorate Manager at Sunderland Eye Infirmary, said: “To be shortlisted for two awards is absolutely fantastic and a real credit to all the team here at the Eye Infirmary. The research we do now could have significant implications on the care we are able to offer patients for years to come. As one of the UK’s leading eye hospitals it’s vital that we are at the forefront of research and innovation and Steve and the Research Team are making amazing strides to embed research into everything we do and continue to position us as a centre for excellence.”