Mel McEvoy, a nurse consultant in palliative care, has contributed three poems to a new charity collection titled ‘These are the hands’. The book features work from NHS staff and prominent writers to celebrate the health service.
The anthology, published by Fair Acre Press, includes an introductory poem by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen. Proceeds from the book will be donated to the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Emergency Fund.
Mr McEvoy, who recently completed a Master’s degree in Creative Writing, has previously published a collection titled ‘An Emptied Space’. remarked that his poetry often draws on his professional experiences with end-of-life care, describing them as a narrative of emotion.
The nurse noted that the anthology reflects the altruism of NHS staff. His own contributions include the poems ‘He swims in the silence’, ‘Do your own dead come for you?’, and ‘Living in an empty house’.
‘These are the hands’ is available for £9.99 through the Fair Acre Press website.
Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2020-04-03. The original source image has been and credited.