The show was initially cancelled after sixteen weeks, as Channel 9's original intention was to continue with either this or network stablemate The Sullivans (1976) (both began transmission during November 1976 and would end within weeks of each other); however the broadcaster acquiesced to public demand and kept both soaps airing. Delighted, the production team threw a party and make-up artist Patricia Hutchence volunteered her son and his band to provide musical support - consequently a pre-fame Michael Hutchence and INXS performed for the cast and crew at the celebration.
Doctor Graham Steele, played by Tim Page, was the sole character to survive through the first to the last episode - Gwen Plumb's character Ada Simmonds only featured from the second edition.
Susanne Stuart (Sister Susanne Gibbs) had genuinely been a nursing sister before joining the show, trained at The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in the Sydney suburb of Camperdown. As such she was hired to advise cast-members on general medical procedures; the crew soon realised the benefits of having someone on screen who really knew what they were doing and Susanne's rôle grew to a speaking part.
The series was set in and around Sydney's Albert Memorial Hospital, established in 1889.
To mark the on-screen marriage of Tony Garcia and Tania Livingstone in episode 281, Channel Nine threw a large national tour which saw Tony Álvarez and Judy McBurney visit every capital city in Australia, staging mock wedding ceremonies in genuine chapels for the public.