Joanna runs into the middle of a medical emergency whilst on her day off. Rita Barratt arrives back in Cardale. Back at the practice, there's a special delivery for Dawn and Sam.
After disaster strikes at their home, Dawn and her children move in with Andrew. But as relations between Andrew and the children are frosty, family bliss looks unlikely.
Andrew and Dawn face a tough time when Trent becomes seriously ill, however the arrival of Trent's dad Keith signals that their problems have only just begun.
Sam's interest in MS sufferer Anna becomes less then healthy when he lets his heart rule his head. The situation blurs his medical judgement and causes friction with Andrew.
Joanna makes a big decision about her relationship with Martin after he starts work at the practice. Rita has a health scare and reveals the reasons behind her positive attitude.
Joanna and Martin take on the sensitive case of a terminally ill teen. Andrew and Sam try to help a couple stranded on a riverbank, but things take a turn when Andrew gets badly injured.
Joanna and Sam plead with hospital medics to not give up on trying to revive Andrew. Dawn keeps an anxious vigil by his bedside whilst Keith returns and demands to look after the children.
Joanna tries her best to get Martin to face up to his true feelings after the loss of his patient. Sam takes on as much work as possible in Andrew's absence.
When Martin is offered a job in Sussex, Joanna has to make a hard decision: stay in Cardale with a community and job she loves or move to another place with the man she loves.
Andrew and Dawn return to Cardale and have some uncomfortable questions to answer about their relationship. Elsewhere, an old friend causes problems for Sam.
Andrew tries to convince his friend Ronnie Neale that he is suffering from a life threatening illness, and ends up coming to blows with Dawns's estranged husband Keith over her affections.
Andrew finally comes face to face with Keith after Dawn decides to leave Cardale. Meanwhile, it's new beginnings all round as Andrew, Joanna and Sam face the future without their partners.