Tess Bateman

Tess Bateman (played by Suzanne Packer) first arrived in Casualty on the 13th September 2003 (Series 18, Ep 1). She is the Clinical Nurse Manager, and divorced from Mike.

Tess is, with no doubt, a traditionalist. If there's a rule book, she's most certainly swallowed it. She is dedicated, well-balanced and has a lot of experience. She knows just how to handle people and she isn't out of her depth. Some may view her as a kill-joy and inflexible but her immaculate, business-like front masks a very wicked, dry sense of humour. She is a control freak, and not to be mess with.

Background

Tess is a third generation Jamaican, but was brought up in Cardiff - not that her heritage is kay to her make-up, in fact, it is over shadowed by her religious beliefs. Tess always looked up to her mother and the admirable way that she could juggle many tasks and be calm in a crisis. Tess really loves spending time with her close family and her extended family. She's a regular church goer but she never brings it up. She maintains a strong work ethic and a desire for order and efficiency in every aspect of her life. This manifested itself into denial and stress over the issue of her son Sam's mental illness.