Poems to celebrate NHS turning 60

Kid’s illustrators have teamed up with children’s laureate Michael Rosen to provide artistic contributions to mark the NHS’s 60th birthday.

An accompanying anniversary poem has also been written, called “these are the hands”, with drawings by Nick Sharatt – famous for providing artwork for books by Jacqueline Wilson – and Tony Ross among other people providing their own visual interpretation.

In other news, Sir Michael Parkinson “returned to the day job” in order to promote the Dignity in Care campaign.

Taking place in Covent Garden, London, the event saw interviews with Barbara Pointon – an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society – and Barbara Dearnley, who has been involved in the Improving the Care of the Older Person project at Kings College Hospital in the capital.

He also talked to actress Amanda Waring, who starred in and produced the film What do you see?.

Assigned the role of dignity ambassador, Sir Michael Parkinson said: “Over the past six months, I have had the great honour of meeting some of our nation’s real unsung heroes, hearing their stories and bringing attention to what they are doing to hopefully inspire many others to follow suit.”