Charles is invited by health secretary to spearhead a campaign for better design in PFI projects.
The government has brought on the most controversial figure in UK architecture to head off criticism that the PFI means shoddy design. Alan Milburn, the secretary of state for health, has called on the Prince of Wales to spearhead a campaign aimed at persuading clients and contractors to pay more attention to the aesthetics of PFI hospitals.

Former NHS Estates chief executive Kate Priestley said Milburn approached the Prince at the beginning of the year, and discussions have been going on since then. "The Department of Health was very keen to show the highest possible level of interest in design," she said. "It was thought, with his interest in architecture, that he would be a good design champion."

A Whitehall source said the Prince would act as an architectural ambassador. He said: "The Prince's role will be to inspire chief executives and chairs of hospital trusts to take design more seriously."

It is understood that the Prince will act in his capacity as head of the Prince's Foundation, a charitable trust. The initiative will be launched at a joint Prince's Foundation/NHS Estates conference at Lancaster House in November, after which the charity will work directly with a number of NHS trusts. Twenty-nine PFI hospital projects have been given the go-ahead this year.

A health department spokesperson said: "The Prince's Foundation has been in contact. It's fairly early days on this; it is something we're interested in working with the foundation on."

Government has been knocked sideways by recent press coverage

Source close to the government

A spokesperson for the Prince of Wales said no appointment had been made, but added: "Talks are ongoing with the NHS Executive to see how the Prince's Foundation might play a role in promoting design quality in hospitals."

The decision by the Prince to monitor design in this way comes after criticism of several PFI hospitals, notably the Cumberland Infirmary at Carlisle. The Amec-built hospital has had problems with power failures, leaking pipes and a shortage of beds since opening in June last year.

The Treasury has also ordered a review of PFI procurement to improve design. A source close to the government said this was a response to media criticism. "The government has been knocked sideways by recent press coverage. There will be more horror stories as more projects are completed."

The Office of Government Commerce and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment are carrying out the review, which will be completed in October.