SCENE 1

It is early evening in a busy casualty department. The registrar sits at a computer. A nurse enters the room.

nurse. Doctor, have you decided what you're doing with the little girl in cubicle 2? [she doesn't wait for a reply] The LP's back, its full of bugs and white cells and she still hasn't got a line, I know you're waiting for the cream to work and I know you're trying to decide about the steroids, but don't you think you should come and have a look at her? I'm not happy about her.

The registrar lifts his head briefly.

registrar. Actually I'm almost there ... I've just got to access one more database and I'll have the answer.

The nurse looks desperate. She leaves. We see her pick up the phone in the next room.

SCENE 2

A quiet children's ward. There is a warm glow from the window to the left as the sun sets over the city. The paediatric consultant, recently appointed and now resident on call is sitting by a desk. The phone rings. A young nurse picks up it up but quickly passes it to the consultant.

nurse. It's a call for you.

consultant [taking the phone, listens] How long has she been waiting? ... she's really sick? ... What? ... he said he wanted to wait for the cream to work ? ... he's on the computer ... No, of course I'll pop down. Give me a minute.

She puts down the phone. With a weary look she leaves the room.

SCENE 3

A busy casualty department. On the bed lies a small child. She is deathly pale. To the left stands a nurse. She is fixing a mask to the child's face. Tubing runs from the mask to the wall. There are monitors and computer screens and the general feel of high tech medicine.

The consultant walks to the child and picks up her hand. It is cold. She turns to the nurse.

consultant. I'll need an intraosseous line. Can you draw up some fluids. [she doesn't pause to hear a reply] What are her sats? Has she had any antibiotics?

The registrar enters, stage right.

registrar. Before you do that, we haven't decided about steroids.

consultant. No, I think getting access is probably more important right now.

[The registrar looks a little downcast]

consultant. Have you spoken to the parents? Do they know how ill she is?

registrar. We didn't get time to discuss that ... we didn't get past treatment options actually.

consultant. What do you mean?

registrar. I was working on an informant basis, you know, a sort of partnership model. I discussed the role of steroids and told them to go and think about it over a cup of tea.

consultant. Oh f... [very quietly under her breath] Well what have you actually donewith this child?

consultant. [handing the nurse a full syringe of blood] Yes that's great. Send that to the lab and get me a BM please.

registrar. Well, the SHO did the LP ... I'm sorry about that one.

consultant. Sorry?

registrar. Well, where's the evidence that an LP significantly alters outcome? I mean, I pretty much knew what was wrong with her when she came in ... It's an interesting question. I don't know if anyone's looked at it properly. I could find out. Do you want me to check the databases ... I know some good ones.

consultant. [without looking at him] It's pretty busy in the department. You sure you've got time.

registrar. Oh doesn't take a moment[disappearing out of the door].

Enter SHO through same door. She is young. Hair tied in a ponytail.

sho. Can I help?

consultant. Yes, thanks ... would you push this through. [The consultant hands her a syringe]

sho. Lovely, its just like APLS. You're on your own and I'm the dozy but enthusiastic assistant.

consultant. [with a tired smile] Look ... what happened with this girl?

sho. Well, I saw her and thought she must have meningitis. So, I did the LP. I called the reg but he was really angry and said I'd overstepped the mark and now we were committed to a whole pile of non-evidence based treatment. [after a few seconds] He looked pretty upset.

consultant. What then?

sho. He went off to tell the parents that the girl was in a bad way. I mean, that obviously she was unwell with little evidence to say what was the best treatment. He said what he usually says ... you know ... bewildering array of databases ... disappointed the hospital still hasn't subscribed to whatever site on the internet.[pausing to think] He takes a lot of time with the parents.

consultant. Why didn't he just ring me or the A+E consultant?

sho. Oh no ... he says the modern palm top has made consultants pretty much redundant. You can get everything you want off the computer.

registrar [entering the room] I've got it ... about the steroids I mean ... oh[looking about] ... You haven't gone and given the antibiotics have you?

consultant. Yes.

registrar. Oh great, that's a completely different question now isn't it ... steroids after antibiotics. No, no, it's okay, I'll sort it out. Don't do anything else till I come back.

Registrar exits, stage left, looking annoyed.

consultant. Can you phone PICU, let them know she's down here. I'd better go and talk to the parents.