The woman who founded Kingston Hospital's neonatal charity 'Born Too Soon' has been titled MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Pauline Woods, who lives in Surrey and worked on the neonatal team at Kingston Hospital until 2018, was recognized "for her services to parents and young people".

Pauline worked on parent support with the neonatal team at the NHS foundation trust, and in 1985 founded the charity Born Too Soon.

The hospital's Neonatal Unit, which provides intensive care, high dependency care and special care to babies that are born early or unwell, was subsequently given a substantial boost to the care they offer.

Items like high flow oxygen ventilation equipment (an alternative to more invasive ventilation), and bilisoft machines to enable infants to receive treatment for jaundice were just some of the equipment the unit received thanks to funding from the charity, while a refurbishment of the entire unit has also been undertaken.

Pauline's tireless efforts in this area meanwhile saw her fundraise for the charity, giving talks at schools and events. She remains an ambassador for Born Too Soon.

"Pauline has been an inspiration to all of us. Her dedication and tireless efforts supporting parents on the unit and actively fundraising, has had a profound effect on the neonatal unit," Marie Richter, the matron at at Kingston Hospital's Neonatal unit, said.

"She was one of the reasons I came to work in Kingston Hospital’s Neonatal Unit, after watching her support new parents.

"Her compassion and ability to emotionally support very worried families through what can be a rollercoaster journey, is amazing.

"Pauline thoroughly deserves this MBE in recognition for over 30 years of dedication to families," she added.