St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital

Jenny pips Charge Nurse Adam to the new post of Matron, and the appointment of an outsider is greeted with suspicion. She must work hard to win round sceptics and prove she is not just a management stooge. Jenny’s biggest obstacle will be to forge a strong working relationship with Adam, who feels usurped. This new role is unlike the matron of old. Jenny must use tact and diplomacy to implement management policy and ensure the smooth running of all wards, often at risk of putting noses out of joint.

Neither management nor nurse, Jenny’s position is a lonely one, but she finds a sympathetic ear with Dr Jonathan Ormerod. Jenny leaves her private life at the hospital door, and there is speculation as to what may lie in her past.

As the consultant physician, his domain is the wards, not the theatre. Dr. Ormerod is the doctor every patient wants to be seen by. His personable manner and way with people often help him reach the root of problems. He communicates well with all patients – old and young – and people feel comfortable confiding in him. Pragmatic and wise, he is an old head on young shoulders.

Dr. Ormerod has followed in his parents’ footsteps into medicine, and is keenly aware of THE ROYAL's background and its traditions. He may be following his father in more ways than one: he has a young family, and there are indications that his wife is not coping particularly well with the demands of motherhood… will Jonathan’s resolve to stay faithful be tested to the limit by his Registrar, Dr Sarah Chatwin ?

Dr. Ormerod finds an unlikely source of support in Mr. Woods, who can see that if he isn’t careful, Dr. Ormerod’s going to end up bitter like himself.

Sarah is Dr. Ormerod’s registrar. She accompanies him on ward rounds and deals with patients in her own right. Sarah is an astute and perceptive young doctor. She shares a good professional relationship with Dr. Ormerod and feels comfortable exchanging medical opinions frankly.

Glamorous and striking, Sarah often turns heads on the ward, but it seems she has eyes for just one man. Dr. Ormerod and Sarah’s working relationship appears poised to tip into the personal. With Dr. Ormerod’s marriage on the rocks, perhaps the pair will soon recognise their feelings, but for the moment at least, Sarah seems destined to be always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

Adam is the charge nurse on Middleditch Ward. Compassionate, strong and pragmatic; he ensures patients always receive the very highest standard of care. Adam is sociable, popular, and one of the lads. He rides a motorbike, plays football and is well-liked by all. He looks after his staff, offering guidance and empathy to the student nurses, but is by no means a pushover. He will always strive to deliver the best service to patients and it is with this in mind that he applies for the new post of Matron.

Adam is in a long term relationship with Staff Nurse Heather and it seems she may have one eye on a trip down the aisle. Adam is of the firm belief that such things are not to be rushed.

Mid twenties, bouncy and apparently uncomplicated, Heather’s highly competent on the wards and manages to look after both Adam, her boyfriend, and Norman, her domestically inept older brother. Desperate to get married and settle down with Adam, she can’t wait for Adam to pop the question, so she proposes to him instead! Thrilled when he agrees, she becomes obsessed with planning the wedding of the century down to the very last detail.

Kieran is an experienced A&E nurse. He assesses patients for treatment, and calls in doctors accordingly. Kieran deals daily with difficult personalities and tricky situations. Sometimes people just don’t want to be helped, but Kieran always uses tact, charm and assertiveness to good effect. We get the feeling that if a situation ever turned nasty, Kieran would be able to handle himself quite well. Sporty and fit, with a good sense of humour, Kieran is well liked among the staff.

He is Adam’s best mate and will soon be his Best Man. The student nurses find Kieran quite easy on the eye, but he takes pleasure in teasing them. Carrie in particular develops a quiet crush, but if either of the students is going to have any luck, it’s more likely to be Gemma.

Vijay is our resident radiologist. He analyses xrays and scans, and presents his findings to the other doctors. Vijay likes to think he is a ladies’ man; a twenty-first century Casanova. The female staff might disagree. Everyone knows that radiologists glow in the dark, but Vijay is at pains to point out that this can come in handy in certain late night situations. Master of the cheesy oneliner, Vijay is relentless in his pursuit of the opposite sex, but rarely does his quest meet with success.

Sarah, Gemma, even bookish Carrie, are all long-suffering objects of his clumsy advances, but all are quick to brush him off. Surely one day Vijay’s luck will turn.

Gemma is a student nurse on Middleditch Ward. Confident, attractive and always up for a laugh, Gemma is often on the lookout for talent. She likes drinking and dancing and is not averse to the occasional one night stand. Like most women, Gemma takes Vijay’s relentless advances in her stride, but is determined to give our radiologist his comeuppance. In Gemma, Vijay may have met his match, and this could be a conflict that runs and runs.

Gemma’s partner-in-crime and fellow student nurse, Carrie is a little envious of her good looks and confidence with men, but doesn’t begrudge her having a good time. The pair are virtually inseparable, and together must tackle the challenges of 21st century nursing. After a difficult first week, the students soon warm to their task and through their experiences on the ward will learn life lessons in diplomacy, managing grief and thinking on your feet.

An earnest and keen student, Carrie has always wanted to nurse. Now she’s arrived at the rock-face and can only hope it lives up to expectations. Carrie is never far from fellow student nurse, Gemma. They are great friends, but are like chalk and cheese. By far the more bookish of the pair, what Carrie lacks in glamour and confidence, she makes up for in hard work and a passionate belief in doing the right thing.

Sometimes her moral compass can lead her into hot water. Gemma seems to get all the guys she wants and in this respect Carrie is very much a wallflower in her shadow. Carrie likes to think she’s saving herself for Mr Right, when really she’s just a bit shy. She develops a quiet crush on A&E nurse Kieran, but seems unlikely to act on this without a firm nudge. Surely she’ll find Mr. Right soon.

Pamela is a glamorous surgical registrar, answering to the obstreperous Mr. Woods. Always immaculate, elegant and well-dressed, her free-spending ways are evident for all to see. Pamela is a daddy’s girl through and through. Her income is supplemented by an allowance from her father, but there are signs that his business empire may be starting to crumble. Being Mr. Woods’ registrar is no easy task, and Pamela must be thick-skinned to deal with his high expectations and caustic putdowns.

Mr. Woods does not tolerate anything less than absolute commitment and dedication to duty, and Pamela is occasionally on the receiving end of a “Woodsian” dressing-down. However, as with all Woods’ female colleagues, he has a degree of affection for her. Pamela hangs out with Alana and Sarah - morning runs and drinks after work. Like the other girls she is wary of incomer Jenny (the new matron) and makes little effort to help her integrate. Pamela is essentially a good surgeon, but has a tendency to bitch and look down her nose at others.

Alana is our Polish consultant anaesthetist, with an acid wit and a fiery tongue. Never afraid to stand up to Mr. Woods, she gives as good as she gets. Alana is a fitness fanatic – running off all the chocolate she consumes. Sin and penance; it’s a Catholic thing. She even corals the reluctant Pamela and Sarah into training for a triathlon. Is this her attempt to roll back the years? As her fortieth birthday approaches, she’s takes stock of her life and doesn’t like what she sees.

Alana is a smart, strong woman, with a joke or quip for any occasion. Her professional expertise and easy manner have earned her respect in theatre and on the wards, and she is popular among the staff.

An imposing figure, she runs the operating theatre. She can tongue lash registrars into place and is extremely efficient – which is why Mr. Woods enjoys working with her. Along with Alana andPamela, she makes up Mr Woods’ ‘witches’ coven’ in theatre.

Although seemingly a strong woman, Isla lacks self-confidence, and is insecure when it comes to starting life over again as a single woman.

A larger than life character on the wards, Pearl is of West Indian origin but has been at THE ROYAL for years. Very authoritative with patients and staff, but always up for a laugh. She had a difficult upbringing and was abused as a child – a fact which is known only by Adam.

Early 40’s, and convinced he has “the X factor”, Norman sees himself as an allround entertainer. Singer, musician and DJ, he plays gigs at pubs, wakes and the local Pentecostal Hall. One day, he’ll hit the big time. Norman shares his portering duties with Kristaps, who must always pick up his work shy friend’s slack. Norman is a good source of gossip and can get anything for you, if you ask nicely.

Heather is Norman’s little sister and although he takes his brotherly role seriously, it’s really Heather who looks after Norman. Washing, cleaning, ironing, you name it. He’d be lost without her. Norman is well liked around the hospital, but if there’s ever a mix-up he is always chief suspect. Confusion and chaos seem to follow in his wake.

Kristaps is a young Latvian, who has come to Britain to make a better life. Norman has taken Kristaps under his wing; bringing him up to speed on British culture. But as everyone knows, Norman’s world view is quite unusual, and most of the time Kristaps just humours his friend. Kristaps’ past is the subject of some speculation. There are rumours that he may have spent time in the military and seen frontline conflict. Whether or not these rumours are true, Kristaps is the kind of person you want on your side if things look like turning nasty.

Kristaps is much more intelligent than Norman gives him credit for. Thoughtful, observant and pragmatic, he has established himself as a valued member of staff. In his colleagues, Kristaps has found a surrogate family.