Primrose Unit

The Primrose Unit at Bedford Hospital is the one stop place for cancer patients in the Bedford area. This unit supports 1000’s of patients every year with treatment, support, advice, prosthetics and so much more.

The Primrose Unit is a very special unit, supporting Bedford patients through their cancer journey. From the initial diagnosis, to treatment, wellbeing, financial support, emotional support, prosthetics, and so much more, the dedicated team regularly train on the latest treatments and support processes to ensure the patient gains everything they need to the highest quality.

Due to our amazing community the Primrose unit used up all their charity funds to make some amazing changes across the unit:

• New Therapy Treatment Chairs were placed in the treatment room and can be moved around the room for the staff to get the patient in the right position to be able to take their bloods and start treatment.
• Paxman Cooling system is a cold cap therapy which our cancer users place on their head during treatment which can make a substantial difference in the amount of hair they lose. For many this is so important, and so we ensured this treatment was available and the best it can be.
• Clinic refurbishment was completed a little while ago now but has made a huge impact on patients numbers waiting for treatment, by increasing the treatment chairs the team are able to offer a quicker treatment path.
• Wellbeing and advice centre was officially opened in December 2024, where we invited everyone who had made a donation to the Primrose unit to come and see what we have done with their donation. This room is a beautiful calming space for patients and their visitor to go and relax in plus gain advice and even have a quiet conversation if there is something they wish to talk about. This room has been so well used since opening and is making a difference every day.
• The garden also saw a major refurbishment with the old water feature turned into a centre piece of the garden holding new plants, the beds were tidies up, the floor cleaned and the space has really opened out. Patients are now using the garden now the sun is finally here and enjoy the tranquillity the garden offers.

Next up

The Team are refurbishing the PICC room to increase the feel of this room, it is felt that the room is enclosed and dated, so the room is to have a new fresh feel with a new treatment bed which will support the patient throughout their time in the room.

The team are also refurbishing the Breast Prosthesis room as currently it again is dated and feels enclosed in, so the team want to make this room work for our patients who will need to use it.

For every stage of your cancer journey with us we wish to make you feel important and cared for. We ask if you can help us do that for patients:

• Fundraise for us – please email Fundraising@bedsft.nhs.uk for a fundraising pack
• Send a cheque made payable to Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity to the Charity Team, L&D Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ. Please place Primrose on the back of the cheque.
• Make a payment over the phone. Call 01582 718 289 and speak to a member of the team
• Make a BACS payment. Please email Fundraising@bedsft.nhs.uk for bank details
• Make a donation via the Primrose Unit JustGiving page