A MIDWIFE who has delivered babies from east London Sierra Leone has retired after 30 years.

Sheila Baldwin was first inspired to work overseas at the age of 27 after seeing a heart-breaking advert on TV.

Once she qualified she spent three years delivering babies in west Africa and only decided to come back to England because she missed her family.

She said: “It was very different and healthcare was basic, but I loved it. It was one of the best times of my life.”

Once she got back to London in 1987, Mrs Baldwin, of Ilford, joined Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust.

Moving between Barking Community Hospital, King George in Goodmayes, and Queen’s in Romford, she spent the next 30 years looking after newborns and their mums, before taking retirement earlier this month.

She added: “I became a nurse because I wanted to care for others, and for my whole career I’ve loved my job.

“I’ve been very happy at the Trust; we have high standards and good people. I’ve also enjoyed the diversity of our staff, and found learning about other cultures very inspiring.

“I have mixed feelings as it is hard to leave, but the time is right to take some time for me and my family.”

After passing on her wisdom to new trainees at BHRUT for the last few years, Mrs Baldwin will soon start teaching three days a week at London Southbank University.