A new Wellbeing Room and Garden has been created for the Primrose Unit at Bedford Hospital, which will provide vital support and information for our cancer patients.
This new area includes an information corner, a refreshment bar, a calm wellbeing room which includes a massage chair and a refurbished garden. These essential additions will help to enable a more consistent service to patients improving their quality of care and access to information. The psychology service, dietitians, clinical nurse specialists and navigators will all be able use this space to see patients and run bookable informative sessions that will be available to all cancer patients in Bedford Hospital’s care, regardless of treatment.
As an extension of the existing Primrose Unit it is designed to continue the support of outpatients in the Bedford area through their cancer journey. From initial diagnosis, to treatment, wellbeing financial support, emotional support, prosthetics, and much more. The Primrose Unit supports 1,000’s of patients every year and have a dedicated team who are regularly trained on the latest treatments and support processes to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity have been able to fund this project with thanks to the generous individual and community donations, including patients who are part of the current support group or those who have left gifts in their will.
The opening celebrations were attended by donors, those who worked on the project, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Senior Team, Governors and Ambassadors. Governor Yvette King had the honour of cutting the opening ribbon with the help of Chair Richard Sumray and Deputy Lieutenant Nicholas Kier.
Karen Jackson, General Manager for Cancer Services at Bedford Hospital said: “These areas will provide a much needed respite for patients undergoing various stages of treatment. Allowing them easier access to information and support which will help each patient navigate their personal health journey. The Wellbeing Centre is designed to be a calming space and I think this has been perfectly achieved, we can’t wait for patients to start using the space.”
Charmaine Norrish, Fundraising Manager at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity said: “A huge thank you to our donors for helping us create this new room and garden. It is always so rewarding when we are able to enhance patient care and wellbeing, designing areas such as these do exactly this.”
Yvette King, Lead Governor for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust cutting the ribbon alongside Chair Richard Sumray and Deputy Lieutenant Nicholas Kier.
From left to right: Charmaine Norrish – Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity Fundraising Manager, Chair Richard Sumray, Heather Telford- Cancer Navigator, Steve Butler- Patient , Karen Jackson- General Manager for Cancer Services at Bedford Hospital, Lead Governor Yvette King, Mandy Shoben- Capital Projects Manager, and Deputy Lieutenant Nicholas Kier, outside The Primrose Cancer Wellbeing Room