Work begins on new hospital
Construction work has begun on a new hospital at Ryhope
The development is part of a £68 million investment by the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust to improve patient accommodation.
As part of the project a new 122 bed mental health hospital will be built to replace the old Cherry Knowle hospital, and a 24 bed dementia care unit constructed at Monkwearmouth Hospital for Sunderland and South Tyneside residents.
The Mayor of Sunderland attended an official turf cutting ceremony earlier this afternoon to celebrate the work beginning.