Patricia finds herself embroiled with shady businessman Roger Carlyle (Leslie Dayman) and his son Luke (Peter Cousens). Shortly after Luke embezzles Patricia's company, he is found murdered and Patricia becomes the prime suspect, leading to a series of attempts on her life orchestrated by Roger. Other new characters introduced during the season include Irene Fisher (Judy Nunn), a GP who opens a new boarding house with Fiona, Karen Fox (Lyndel Rowe), a deceitful businesswoman who wreaks havoc whilst having a romantic affair with Wayne, Ross Newman (Robin Stewart), a gambling-addicted surgeon, under the influence of Roger Carlyle, and Bob 'Mitch' Mitchell (Philip Quast), an ex-convict who becomes romantically involved with Amanda whilst coming to blows with Karen and Wayne.