THE education centre at the Alexandra Hospital is now known as the Arafa Education Centre, after it was renamed in memory of consultant Mr Mohamed Arafa.

Mohamed Arafa was an orthopaedic surgeon at the Alex for more than 25 years, and sadly passed away in March this year.

The centre has been named after him in recognition of his commitment to medical education and training in his role as postgraduate clinical tutor and foundation school director.

He played a key role in medical education across the trust.

Mr Arafa was a great supporter of the development of the new education centre which opened in 2007.

The centre, a base for education for all staff, includes a library, lecture theatre and training rooms.

More than 60 members of staff attended a recent re-naming ceremony, and Mohamed Arafa was remembered fondly by everyone there.

Consultant colleagues Karl Bell and Alan Price, along with interim chief executive Chris Tidman, all said a few words about their personal experiences working with Mr Arafa.

Mr Price, former consultant and colleague said: “Mohamed Arafa was a talented, outstanding surgeon and people travelled to be treated by him. His great passion was teaching, his dedication to education was immense. It was a privilege to work with him.”

Mr Arafa’s family travelled to the Alex to attend the dedication, and were proud to see a lasting memorial to his work.

Mr Arafa’s wife Jane said: “Mohamed felt that being a doctor was a privilege, and the Alex Hospital meant a great deal to him.

"For Mohamed, education in all forms made a difference, and he said that you should always aim to be the very best that you can. He would have been touched, humbled and hopeful that he’d made a difference.”