A diabetes nurse is retiring after more than fifty years of caring.

Upkar Drubra, aged 78 from Harrow, was initially discouraged from becoming a nurse, but managed to spend half a century caring for others.

She qualified in 1963 and came to the UK in the 1970s to work a succession of jobs before resuming her nursing career.

Originally her father wanted her to be a sergeant major in the Indian Army, but the nurse decided to look for an alternative future.

Over the years she worked as a ward sister, district nurse, school nurse and researcher.

Around 30 years ago, a chance encounter with a doctor in the Northwick Park Hospital canteen led her on her path to becoming a diabetes nurse.

In the past few years she has been working part-time, but she is now retiring.

“The NHS is my second family and I’ve enjoyed working with colleagues and patients so much over the years,” she said.

Throughout her career, she has engaged with the area’s large Asian community has worked hard to challenge the myth that “Indian ladies sit quietly at home”.

Alongside her career with the NHS, she succeeded in activities including abseiling, kayaking and Indian classical dance and says there is plenty to keep her busy in retirement.

She added: “I am still active and like to try new things. I’d encourage everyone to experience as much as they can during their lives.”

Despite the retirement, she plans to still help out at Northwick Park Hospital as a volunteer, but as for now she hopes to eventually visit her son in Bangkok who she has not seen in a year due to flight restrictions.

She concluded: “I’ve had an enjoyable career and it would be nice to continue to help in some way. I’m going to have a break but hopefully I will see everyone again soon!”