How do you solve a problem like Moira, the Health Centre Manager

(This post was originally posted by Ruth Owen on the Coronation Street Blog in August 2017, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Why, exactly, may I ask, is everyone so frightened of Moira?

Yes, she is the manager, so, fair enough, she is in charge of the admin staff, such as Liz, whose role is to answer the phone and make appointments for patients. But why is she so fearsome?

Now, if ever there was someone with people skills on the cobbles, it would have to be Liz – and she’s no pushover either - at least she wasn’t before the advent of Megalomaniac Moira, the power-crazed, tyrannical control freak who has taken charge at the health centre.

At one point, I thought there had been a breakthrough and that Moira was being complimentary. In Moira’s presence, Liz is a little nervous and says that she is all fingers and thumbs today. ‘Nonsense,’ replies Moira, ‘You’re doing very well, all things considered.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ asks Liz, justifiably. ‘Well’, replies the delightful Moira, ‘your lack of experience and your limited skills set – stick at it.’

Last week we saw the lovely Doctor Susan Gaddas and Liz having a chat during their break. That was soon put paid to by the arrival of Moira, clearly put out by seeing ‘her’ staff chatting together. Moira addresses the doctor as Susan, and is asked by Moira for her paperwork. Moira’s tone is patronising and even rather aggressive. Doctor Susan Gaddas scurries off obediently, promising her paper work will be done.

Liz is outraged by the exchange and lets Moira know her feelings. She tells Moira that it was wrong to use the doctor’s first name. If she, Liz, had studied for all those years, she would want some respect and no doubt would expect to be addressed as Doctor Gaddas.  Moira’s reply to Liz is as follows, ‘Respect is earned – when she gets up to date with her paperwork, maybe I’ll give her some.’  How does anyone respond to that without using several expletives? Moira adds, somewhat bizarrely, that, ‘ Friendship is no substitute for a tight ship,’ which leads us to wonder if Moira has ever had a friend.

What will the future bring for Liz’s life in her new job? Will the staff remain cowed and obedient or will there be a rebellion and a subsequent removal of ‘The snarling beast of Rosamund Street?’ as Steve calls her. I hope we get to know more about Moira and why she is as she is.

But oh - beige! You have to be kidding, Moira! Our Liz in beige? Please, no!

By @Ruth1722

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