Curmudgeonly GP Martin Ellingham's plans to resume his career as a consultant in London are put on hold with the birth of the baby he fathered with his now estranged partner, Louisa Glasson.

Dr Martin Ellingham is struggling to come to terms with fatherhood. The baby boy born to him and his estranged partner, Louisa Glasson, is about to change their lives dramatically.

The curmudgeonly GP with no bedside manner planned to resume his highflying career as a consultant in London. He had packed his bags and moved out of the surgery to make way for the new GP, Dr Di Dibbs.

But the arrival of 'baby' - neither the doctor nor Louisa can agree on a name for their son - means Dr Ellingham has to adjust his plans. He moves into Louisa's house to help with the baby, but it is an awkward situation for both of them.

Dr Dibbs is newly qualified and excited at the prospect of moving into her first surgery, with husband Gavin as the practice manager. However Dr Ellingham begins to have serious doubts about the competency of the new GP after she misdiagnoses a patient, and dishes out prescriptions for totally inappropriate drugs. She even misdiagnoses her own illness, which almost proves fatal.

Her confidence is waning fast as Dr Ellingham, in his familiar brash manner, makes clear he doesn't think she is up to the job.

Dr Dibbs realises she has to go, and Dr Ellingham agrees to resume duties at the surgery until a replacement GP can be found.

With all the upheaval the doc is unprepared for a devastating personal blow. He hears that his Aunt Joan has died after having a heart attack at the wheel of her car.