PRIMROSE at the Princess, the palliative care unit at Bromsgrove's Princess of Wales Community Hospital, is celebrating its first anniversary.

The unit cares for patients with chronic or life-limiting conditions from which they will not recover - mainly cancer and motor neurone disease - and was developed in a partnership between the Primrose Hospice and Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust.

More than 130 patients have already been cared for in the unit's six en-suite bedrooms.

Maria Wilday, modern matron at the hospital, said: "Primrose at the Princess has really filled a gap in health care in Redditch and Bromsgrove.

"The unit is usually full and feedback we've received from patients and relatives is that they're very appreciative of the care and facilities we provide.

"We couldn't provide these without the Primrose's generous support. We thank them for their continued help."

Primrose contributes £100,000 annually towards the unit's running costs, which is £46 per day to care for each patient.

It also funds the St Goswalds Road day hospice and its support services.

By committing £4 per month, people can become a Sharer of Care for the Primrose.

Donators choose a date which will be their ''Sharer of Care" date, which could be the anniversary of a loved one's death, a birthday or any other special occasion.

They then receive a confirmation certificate and a thank you card as their date draws near.

For more details, call 875444.