It's July 4th at the Billy Barnes Extended Care Unit, and nurse DiDi Ortley is starting a new job. Events on her first day include the staff trying to decipher the identity of a mystery Asian woman.
In the wake of Nurse Raymes departure, Patsy De La Serda, a new supervising nurse, joins the Billy Barnes staff. Meanwhile, Donna, a more docile patient, wins DiDi's affections and displays impressive karaoke skills.
DiDi ends up in "conflict resolution" after Patsy files a grievance against her for inappropriate remarks. Meanwhile, Dr James and Patsy go head-to-head when she decides to skip the "Make Someone Happy" orientation to present her stool research at a medical convention.
Dr James decides to implement a geriatric exercise programme in the ward, upsetting Patsy whose "Make Someone Happy" initiative now includes a live pianist and a fountain. Meanwhile, a homeless woman, and her accompanying stench, is suspiciously dumped in the ward.
DiDi's serene evening shift is turned upside down by the arrival of a new Swedish-speaking patient and several unwelcome inebriated visitors.
Phyllis gets the run-around as her mother's condition worsens, improves and worsens again. Meanwhile, after falling out, the staff make up and come together to perform their weekly "Caregiver Concert" for everyone in the ward
Dr James' plethora of research projects threatens to take over the ward. A frustrated DiDi asks for a raise. Patsy's "Lean & Green" initiative causes problems. Dawn gets an answer to what's been ailing her. Jenna receives unwelcome news that leads to an unholy alliance.
DiDi takes on greater responsibilities when a hospice programme is introduced. Dawn looks ahead to her future and tries to share her news with Patsy but inadvertently puts his new initiative in question. Patsy finds himself playing patient in a medical emergency.
A server crash forces the staff to go "old school", with disastrous results. DiDi steps on Dr Stickley's toes over Arlene's mother-in-law. Dr James has issues getting through to a deaf patient. Dawn buys a cello and learns her life-changing news may not be all it seems.
The staff finds itself in an awkward situation when one of Jenna's 'adult' study photos makes its way into the Christmas card competition. DiDi is tempted by Parker Owens, a visiting doctor. A patient with terminal cancer proposes a 'final solution' to a startled Jenna.
DiDi struggles to deal with her sister Sherrie who's filling in and cosying up to Dawn. Jenna gets a new look and encounters resistance to her research methods. The staff tries to balance patient flow and has issues discharging a patient they'd hoped never to see again.
A whistle-blower brings disturbing news about the hospice programme to light, putting everyone's future in question. Dawn takes a romantic step but finds herself caught between two suitors. DiDi takes her salary issues to Jenna, who tries to hold everything together.
Looking to move past her hospice scandal, Dr Jenna James finds her job threatened by a handsome new doctor. DiDi is inspired to fight for her union rights, while cutbacks force Patsy to return to floor duty. Dawn questions her marriage and gets some distressing news.
The staff face an infectious disease crisis. DiDi's family drama spills into work - in the form of her sister-in-law. Dr James reaches out to a drugs company and finds herself affected by a patient with a complicated past. A worn-out Dawn is revived by Patsy's advances.
Dr James is caught off guard by workplace politics. A felon with cancer - and a history of daring escapes - arrives at the ward. When his mother pays a visit, Patsy asks Dawn to pose as someone she's not. DiDi's mother-in-law comes for treatment, sparking a family feud.
On the day of her "sympoosium", Dr James is plagued by complications. Patsy embraces his truth, and DiDi finds herself caught between her work and family. Dawn and Dr James see uncanny visions of themselves in two British visitors, Dr Pippa Moore and Sister Den Flixter.
With the ward's fate up in the air, DiDi hunts for ways to save it. Varla returns and butts heads with her equally opinionated daughter. Caught in a heap of lies, Jenna comes clean to her husband. After a memorial service full of drama, the staff gets a rude awakening.
As the staff try to stave off the closure of Billy Barnes, DiDi takes to the picket lines in a last-ditch effort to save the ward. After a ruse is exposed, Dawn inadvertently sets in motion a chaotic chain of events that seals the fate of the ward.