 Following the departures of Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield), Ellen Crozier (Robyn Malcolm), Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin), Jenny Harrison (Maggie Harper) and the axing of David Kearney (Peter Elliott), in 1998 and 1999, ratings for the show dropped dramatically in 2000 and producers decided to reinvent the show to boost audience interest.Jason Daniel was hired as a consultant to drastically alter the show, making it more representative of the social climate of the time.This included eliminating several characters, redesigning the hospital, toning down make up and clothing choices, and introducing a new cast.