Bedford Hospital’s Primrose Unit has successfully retained the ‘Macmillan Quality Environment Mark’ (MQEM), developed by Macmillan Cancer Support to recognise and celebrate environments which meet quality standards required for people living with cancer.
Assessed every three years, this is the third consecutive time the Primrose Unit has been awarded the MQEM.
As part of Macmillan’s assessment, the waiting room, Chemotherapy Suite, clinic rooms, Primrose Garden and Wellbeing Room were all taken into consideration.
Their marking criteria also covered parking and drop-off facilities for patients as well as the first floor of the Primrose Unit, a staff-only area, in which clinical nurse specialists, managers and team administrators are based.
The assessors commented on the cleanliness of the Chemotherapy Suite, were impressed by the friendly environment and the relaxed way patients and their loved ones were engaging with each other and staff.
One patient even said that they ‘love coming to the Primrose Unit!’
As a result of their findings, the assessors were able to confirm on the day that the Primrose Unit had retained the MQEM award.
The Primrose Unit supports 1,000’s of patients every year and has a dedicated team who are regularly trained on the latest treatments and support processes to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care.
This detail of clinical care is supported by patient experience elements to create an overall excellent patient environment. Patients attending the Chemotherapy Suite receive a complimentary lunch in addition to snacks and refreshments throughout their stay.
The Unit is also fortunate enough to allow patients to bring a friend or a loved one with them to provide support and company throughout their treatment session. For some hospitals, these factors are not possible due to space and funding. These particular touches can make a huge difference to a patient’s wellbeing at such a challenging time.
The most recent addition of the Primrose Cancer and Wellbeing room has now been operational for six months and has continued to receive positive feedback from patients and visitors.
Read: New Wellbeing Room and garden officially opened at Bedford’s Primrose Unit
The team have received comments on the calm ‘spa-like’ environment, highlighting how different the space feels to hospital rooms; an environment which many patients are sadly accustomed to.
Ahead of the 2028 assessment, the team say they will continue building a quality environment for patients with plans to develop cancer touch therapy tuition, so that partners of patients can learn gentle massage, and coffee mornings, focused on women under fifty years of age with breast cancer.
Each event will aim to provide opportunity for further clinical, peer and family support while focusing on specific challenges that some patient groups may face.
Yvonne Jeffs, Lead Nurse Cancer and Palliative Care said: “Retaining our MQEM status shows the commitment of the Primrose team to provide an environment that fosters support and great patient experience whilst being treated for their cancer.
“This is also demonstrated by our excellent Friends and Family Test results for the last twelve months, with 96% of respondents rating their experience as ‘very good’.
“We are always looking for ways to improve our service and patient experience. I am excited by the plans we have for activities that will benefit our patients and their loved ones in new ways.”
