The series began on-air in March 1989, and while it initially failed to attract a major audience it went on to win numerous television awards (including the first Logie Award for an ABC-TV Drama in 15 years) and became the highest rating drama series on ABC-TV.

As the series progressed he bought into the surgery with and started operating again at local public hospitals.

William drives a Jaguar and is very cultured with a great interest in and knowledge of music, poetry, food and wine.

Robert is a widower and has a son Andrew, who makes numerous appearances in the first few series of the show.

He is operated on to remove the tumor and survives, only to suffer a heart attack and die in recovery.

This was a popular format for screening acquired Australian material as had been used with A Country Practice, E Street, Blue Heelers and HeadLand by UK broadcasters.