Midwife retires after 30 years of service

Shirley Spencer-Brown said she has loved helping families during such a special moment in their lives

An award-winning Wolverhampton midwife who is retiring after almost 30 years in the NHS, says her job has been “a real privilege”.

Shirley Spencer-Brown, 66, has delivered thousands of babies and said she has loved helping mothers and their families at such a special moment in their lives.

She started her nursing training in 1994 and after working in Scotland and other areas, she re-joined the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s (RWT) Midwifery Team in 2008.

Kate Cheshire, head of midwifery and neonatal services at RWT, said: “Shirley has been a valued part of the maternity family for many years."

'Go the extra mile'

“I must have delivered thousands of babies," Ms Spencer-Brown said.

"I have loved looking after pregnant women during the most special moments of their lives. It has been a real privilege.

“One of my favourite baby name choices was a woman who gave birth to twins and named them after her favourite drink – Tia and Maria. I loved that and I will always remember them.”

The grandmother-of-two, from Wolverhampton, was awarded an Exceeding Expectation award by trust chief executive Prof David Loughton, in 2022, after being nominated by a patient whose baby was delivered 14 weeks early.

The care the woman received was outstanding and Ms Spencer-Brown made the patient and her family at ease during a very difficult time, the trust said.

Winning the award was a career highlight and a proud moment, she added.

She said she was lucky to work with such dedicated and friendly colleagues.

"They all put their patients first and even though we are very busy we always work to the highest standard," she said.

“I will miss the team and the job very much.”

Ms Cheshire said Ms Spencer-Brown worked hard for families "going the extra mile to make every moment matter".

"She will be missed for this, but also for the compassion and commitment she has shown to the team, plus a lot of laughs along the way," she said.