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After an incredible 34 years of dedicated nursing service, Alan Baldwin, Matron for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Outpatients at Good Hope Hospital, is retiring.

Alan's UHB career journey began in 1999 when he began work as a senior staff nurse in A&E. Over the next decade, he advanced to Senior Charge Nurse in A&E, took on several operations manager roles, and moved between hospital sites to broaden his skills and experience. In 2016, Alan returned to his true passion for nursing and was soon promoted to Matron.

Alan's career path into nursing was anything but conventional. He started as a soldier in the Army, but a severe bout of meningitis left him in ITU for five days and unable to continue in such a physical role. Alan then worked in digital mapping before responding to an advert for student nurses, and from that moment, he never looked back! Alan gained experience in almost every surgical specialty and outpatients department during his time at the Trust.

Reflecting on his career, Alan said: "Becoming Matron was a special moment for me. For the boy who originally wanted to be a soldier, I had made Squadron Sergeant Major! Every day in nursing, you have the privilege of positively impacting patients' lives – it's a rare and precious gift."

Alan will miss his work colleagues the most. He said: "I've always enjoyed walking the main corridor, greeting staff, patients, and visitors. I'll deeply miss my clinical teams who embraced my leadership and shared my vision for the wards."

As Alan embarks on this new chapter, he plans to travel, spend more time with his family, and enjoy gardening at his allotment.