TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman described as "unique" and as a "champion of the NHS" who died on Christmas Day.

Joan Eileen Pounds was found collapsed at her Christchurch home by her son, Nicholas, when he stopped for a festive visit.

The 92-year-old, in her capacity as chairman of the Christchurch Hospital League of Friends, helped raise funds for life-saving equipment, facilities and services for the wider community.

Richard Renault, chief strategy and transformation officer for University Hospitals Dorset, said: "Joan was a real champion of the NHS, and Christchurch in particular.

"As chairman of the Christchurch Hospital League of Friends for many, many years she helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds and organise hundreds of volunteers.

"The Annual Christchurch Hospital League of Friends Summer Fete led by Joan was incredibly successful.

"Joan could always be seen wandering around the corridors of Christchurch Hospital and was always keen and willing to support the staff.

"She was passionate about what she did, incredibly hard working and completely selfless. She was unique.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family and friends at this time.”

Among her many achievements was leading the campaign for a therapeutic garden for patients at Christchurch Hospital.

An inquest, to examine the circumstances surrounding Mrs Pounds' death has been opened and adjourned – but there are no suspicious circumstances nor third party involvement.

The hearing took place on Wednesday, December 30, at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall.

Coroner Rachael Griffin heard evidence from coroner's officer Phillipa Morgan, who told the court the deceased was a housewife and a widow.

Mrs Morgan, providing the court with the brief circumstances surrounding Mrs Pounds' death, said: "At approximately 13:25 hours on Friday, December 25, this year, Mr Nicholas Pounds went to see his mother. This was a planned visit.

"He entered the house and found his mother collapsed on the floor.

"An ambulance was summoned but unfortunately it was found that Joan had passed away."