St. Angela’s Children’s Hospital — Reggie’s

Like all big University Teaching Hospitals, St. Angela’s has a busy children’s hospital on its campus. These places are usually separated from the main building in special ways — the age of its patients; the culture, look and feel of the place; and how its systems work. At St. Angela’s, to its rear, away from the river, you will find a fenced off area where the vibrant colours and the sound of children playing in the courtyard greet you. You often forget to look down as you rush to the main entrance and stumble over the toys and small furniture that litter the place.

Illustration by Bill Morris

As with most hospitals, St. Angela’s had a competition to name this special place as Reggie’s after the big white rabbit of that name, jumping out of a fine top hat.

There was much excitement when Alex, our weary Chief Executive, had been called to a meeting with a film star. St. Angela’s was to be awarded a fabulous endowment for a new building for Reggie’s from the man of the movies whose own child had been saved by the wonderful doctors and nurses there. As with all these things, the money was not quite enough for the hospital’s ambitious plans so a fund-raising committee was set up. They also launched a design competition involving world-class architects and environmental specialists as St. Angela’s wanted to lead the way in all things “green”. Alex needed a steering committee involving senior staff, children, and of course the local posh ladies who formed “the Friends”. Continue reading →