...
In the 1950s at the fictional Lancashire village of Ormston, a father and son, both doctors, navigate the challenges of running a cottage hospital under the newly established National Health Service.
Ormston welcomes a new face and bids farewell to an old friend. Donald and Deborah set up a mobile blood bank before Tom returns from New Zealand, and find a match for teenage haemophiliac Abel Marl.
Helen returns to join the villagers in paying their last respects to Tom. Logan's patience is tested by hypochondriac Albie Thwaites while Henry Williamson suggests that Deborah and Donald sell the cottage hospital to the NHS.
Deborah continues to run the hospital alongside Newman and becomes involved with Janette Locke, who appears to be abusing her son. Jean and Eddie become temporary landlords at the pub whilst Phyllis recuperates from an injury.
The Cosgroves prepare for their latest foster child. Logan shelters Albert Tooley, a young army deserter, and Mary Pilling fears that he has run away to be with her, unaware of her recent marriage to Cyril.
Ormston prepares for the traditional Apple Day Festival, while Len's cousin Nathan visits.
Both Emma Rowe and Laura contract a fever after they are admitted to hospital, but it could be more than just a simply a coincidence.
Nancy and Wilf swap jobs with predictable results. Nancy woos Nick, but Deborah spends the night during a storm. Charlie Polson pursues his assistant, Hettie, but lands in the hospital, trying to impress her.
Jean invites Ruby to the Antiques Fair where Ruby gets shot. As Deborah and Logan grow closer, Henry offers Logan a job as the Rattenbury General. Nancy has a fling with Jack, a builder working in the hospital.
When the local home for disadvantaged people is forced to close, Deborah takes in Eileen Fisher, one of the residents, but doesn't expect Eileen's admirer, Jimmy, to follow suit.
Phyllis finds herself at the centre of an love triangle. Jean and Eddie get exciting news as they celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Logan leaves Ormston for Rattenbury and Deborah gives pursuit.
Jenna Russell
Deborah Gilder
Polly Thompson
Catherine Gilder
Evan Fortescue
Phillip Gilder
Peter Gunn
Const. Len Cosgrove
Tracey Childs
Nurse Linda Cosgrove
Maggie Steed
Phyllis Woolf
Naomi Radcliffe
Jean Mills (née Bradshaw)
Samuel J. Hudson
Eddie Mills
Donald Gee
Mr. Boynton
Clive Swift
Rev. Eustacius Brewer
Shirley White
Miss Matthews
Joan Worswick
Miss Matthews
