A WELL used palliative care unit at a Bromsgrove hospital is celebrating its first birthday.

Primrose at the Princess is based at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, in Stourbridge Road. It cares for patients with chronic or life limiting conditions from which they won't recover.

The facility was developed as part of a partnership between Primrose Hospice and the Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust.

More than 130 patients have been cared for in the unit's six en-suite bedrooms since it opened. The team of dedicated and specially trained staff, doctors, nurses and other professionals give the specialist support required for the patients.

Hospital modern matron Maria Wilday said: "Primrose at the Princess has really filled a gap for healthcare within Redditch and Bromsgrove. The unit is usually full and the feedback we have received from patients and relatives is that they are very appreciative of the care and facilities we provide.

"We could not provide this care and the facilities without the generous support of the Primrose Hospice and we would like to thank them for their continued help."

The hospice contributes £100,000 a year towards the annual running costs of the facility.

This breaks down to £46 a day for each patient, this is in addition to funding the day hospice, in St Godwald's Road, and its range of support services.

Residents can help by becoming a Sharer of Care by donating £4 a month. For details call the fundraising team at Primrose Hospice on 01527 875444.