Hospital celebrates NHS birthday

Youngsters found Walsall Manor in rude health when they paid a visit to help celebrate the NHS’s 60th birthday.

Pupils from three schools in the borough created a variety of art work to the hospital, representing what the health service meant to them.

And after sending in the submissions, children from St Patricks, Abbey and Harden primary schools visited staff and patients at the site before admiring their work on display.

Hospital spokeswoman Anna Sykes said the visits had been enjoyed by everyone involved.

“It’s been great,” she said.

“I think the patients really loved having the children in, because it seems to be a good way to take their minds off things.

“For children that come in to hospital for treatment or to visit a sick relative I think they can be quite daunting places, so it is nice for them to have some postive associations with the place.

“There has been some great work going on at Walsall Manor recently and everyone is really looking forward to the 60th birthday celebrations.”

Health workers from across Walsall will attend a Diamond Ball at Banks’s Stadium on Friday to the landmark anniversary.