Online voices

STORY

Questions remain over future of historic Sunderland Eye Infirmary as NHS confirms ‘no plans’ for site. Construction is scheduled to begin on a £36million replacement at the former Vaux site.

Ann Huntley: Use it as a halfway house for hospital patients being discharged and rehabilitated.

Rosalind Grant:

Beautiful building. It should be used as a convalescent home. Definitely should not be pulled down to use land to build more inexpensive houses. There aren’t many lovely buildings left in Sunderland now. Just new builds with no character.

Davy Robson:

I’m sure you’d love to plough money into an old relic that’s been a great historic place of eye treatment. Some things just aren’t cost effective.

Michelle Williamson:

Initially they could put ‘bed blocker’ patients in it to free up beds in the Royal. Staffing it may be a problem though.

Julie Henderson:

Shouldn't be pulled now, convalescent home. Don't need anymore car parks or housing.

Angela Powney:

Why in the city centre when parking is already an issue. Agree they urgently require a new hospital. They do a great job with the poor premises they have.

Catherine Mcmillan: Step down facility/rehab, use the facilities, the gardens can be managed by rehab patients to create food.

Graham Breeze: Just leave it, nothing wrong with the place.

Jennifer Purdy: We all know this is prime land and will be sold to the 'highest' bidder.

Stuart Watson: It will inevitably be cleared and developed for housing. The QA road lot will be furious.

Mark Redpath: Should be revamped and made into a children's hospital.

Joanne Davison: Sooner or later it will be luxury homes.

Lyndsey Hamilton: We need social housing.