There were hugs, tears and heartfelt words in Southall on Friday (2 May 2025) as the community said goodbye to Dr Arun Thiruvengadam, a long-standing GP at Woodbridge Medical Centre, who’s now moving to work in Luton.
The 44-year-old, known as “Dr Arun”, has become a familiar and trusted face over the years – especially during the pandemic, when he was a lifeline to many. On his final day at the surgery, locals filled a hall to see him off, calling it: “a once-in-a-lifetime event”.
Dr Arun, who is of Sri Lankan heritage, was especially appreciated by the local Sri Lankan community for his empathy and care. One local said: “He carried us through the hardest of times – not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.”
Another patient added: “He knew our names, our stories, our worries – he wasn’t just a GP, he was one of us. We’ve never seen such love given to a doctor anywhere in the UK like we gave Dr Arun today.”
The send-off was organised by community group Ability Action CIC, which works with people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Its founder, Mr Pratheepan, gave Dr Arun a “Heart of the Community Award” and said: “This is not just a goodbye. This is recognition of a man who saw us as more than patients. Dr Arun is a role model – someone who treated people with dignity, who connected with us not from his clinic desk, but from his heart.”
Speaking at his community send off, Dr Arun said: “When I began my journey in medicine, I never imagined a moment like this. It’s hard to find the words. I just feel humbled, grateful, and honoured beyond anything I could have dreamed of.”
 as the community said goodbye to Dr Arun Thiruvengadam, a long-standing GP at Woodbridge Medical Centre, who’s now moving to work in Luton.){kind=link}