Infectious Prima Donna Syndrome

Alex, our weary Chief Executive, had a lot on his plate including a basinful from Reggie’s Children’s Hospital.

Illustration by Bill Morris

The junior doctors were constantly complaining about their poor training, supervision, and rotas …; the managers were always anxious that the rules and procedures were not being followed; and the ever-present car parking monster was biting at his heels again.

More seriously, the nurses were grumbling as the nappy problem was getting under their skin. Alex was constantly parrying the press who smelt blood on The Nappy Story. Meanwhile, he had a new building to construct in honour of Reggie’s benefactor.

Sue, his ever-present supportive director, was in her element “doing OD,” calming everything and everyone. She smoothed the frictions between Reggie’s five committees as they planned for the new building. They were optimistic that the ceremony to turn some earth to show the building was on the way would happen soon. Indeed, to help things along, Dr St. Clair, Prima Donna number one from last time, had already ordered a golden shovel. And Sue was left to sort out the payment for it, like the posh bunting invoice for the recent fête. Continue reading →