The Prince of Wales' first move as NHS design champion will be to unveil five pilot PFI hospitals schemes today.
The five, which have yet to be designed, include new-build and refurbishment schemes.

The hospitals chosen are:

  • The new 拢57m Central Middlesex Hospital
  • The 拢114m modernisation of Hope Hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester
  • A 拢164m acute centre at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield
  • 拢20m of mental health facilities for Ryhope/Cherry Knowle in Sunderland
  • The 拢44m redevelopment of University Hospital Lewisham.

The Prince will reveal the development timetable for the five pilots. The next six months are mapped out for consultation with local staff and patients and design discussions with individual NHS trusts.

The pilots are a joint initiative between The Prince's Foundation and NHS Estates. The initiative will explore the Prince's interest in therapeutic design and holistic healthcare under the banner 黑洞社区 a Better Patient Environment.

Charles' appointment has prompted fear among architects that he has won a platform that he will use to stymie modern architecture. One called the appointment "inappropriate".