About us
The Princess of Wales Hospital (Ely) Charitable Trust is a Charity dedicated to enhancing the care and support provided at the Princess of Wales Hospital.
The Trust
The Princess of Wales Hospital (Ely) Charitable Trust was formed in 2023/4 to provide support to the patients and staff of The Princess of Wales Hospital (Ely).
Our goal is to ensure patients receive the best possible services while supporting the work of the healthcare professionals who care for them.
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History of the Princess of Wales Hospital Ely
The facility was established as the Royal Air Force Hospital Ely in 1939. It treated military casualties during the Second World War. It joined the National Health Service in 1948 and, following a visit by the Princess of Wales in 1987, it was renamed the Princess of Wales Royal Air Force Hospital.
Despite a decision by the Royal Air Force to close the facility in 1992, it was saved from closure as a result of pressure from Action for a Community Hospital in Ely, a local pressure group. It has subsequently been managed on a civilian basis and renamed the Princess of Wales Hospital.
For over 50 years the hospital treated countless members of the RAF, and the public, as well as being an important training facility for medical personnel. At its busiest it had 4 operating theatres, 7 wards, physiotherapy unit, dental clinic, gymnasium, a remedial therapy centre and a maternity hospital.
The Princess of Wales Hospital Ely is changing...
In March 2023, a collaboration with NHS and social care partners for a three year redevelopment (2-phase) programme was announced.
The brand new state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at the new Diagnostic Unit will:
Phase 1
- Enable thousands of patients to conveniently, quickly and efficiently access vital diagnostic services; when they need it, closer to home
- Provide MRI and CT scans, without needing to travel to an acute hospital site such as Addenbrooke’s, reducing waiting times whilst easing the pressure on acute hospital services
- Play a crucial role in speeding up the diagnosis of conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease
- Offer fibroscans, CT, MRI, echocardiogram, phlebotomy, respiratory testing, ultrasound, X-Ray, and Cytosponge, an innovative new test developed in Cambridge
- Provide pre-assessment appointments for patients undergoing surgical procedures
- Offer diagnosis pathways of care, such as the new Breathlessness Clinic, which tests lung function and detects conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart conditions as early and accurately as possible so that the correct cause can be identified and correct treatment can be planned
Phase 1 has been completed
Phase 2
- Build brand new, modern premises
- Deliver an Urgent Treatment Centre, Audiology Suite, GP surgeries, more day surgery, outpatient, diagnostic and urgent care services, closer to people’s homes (all current services will remain on the hospital site)
- Provide more joined-up care across health and social care services, including for frail elderly people and those living with long term conditions
- Create more physical space to meet the needs of a growing population, reducing the need for people to travel to Cambridge for some services
- Build a new car park
- Create a wellbeing hub – bookable spaces for a range of uses
Phase 2 needs your funding help
This funding will only become available with community support.
Phase 2 funding
Despite the lack of new build premises, the services that were planned are still vital to provide for the health and well being of the local population. These are endoscopy provision, the extension of Day Surgery provision, Urgent Treatment Centre, Audiology Suite, improved outpatients’ services and dynamic health.
With charitable donations the Princess of Wales Hospital Ely can provide a level of patient care beyond that which can be delivered by the NHS.