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Good evening, Elle!
It does not sound very encouraging, does it?
You should have a modern building if at all possible.
Yes, I feel lucky with my practice.
I think we have nine GPs now, and quite a few nurses etc.
Some nurses run clinics too, for diabetes, Well Woman, podiatry, and several other things.
They have lots and lots of paintings on the walls, all done by local artists, and all for sale.
And lots of books to pay a few pence for.
They have some sort of link with Malawi, too, but I have no idea how that works.
The practice is a two minute walk from the hospital.
Still very warm here!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I would definitely say that our GP practice needs updating - modern premises , more life saving equipment, a phlebotomist on the premises ...that last thereby saving long trips to the nearest hospital for blood tests.
But above all, location is imperative.
A modern GP practice will serve no useful purpose if out of (preferably easy) reach of most of its patients.
We currently have only two full time doctors and two part -time ones, with only one practice nurse.
We have to trek to the nearest hospital two miles away to have a blood sample taken.
But to have any actual medical tests/ treatment / see a Consultant, it is more usually a seven mile journey to a larger hospital.
None of this is obviously ideal.
Our NHS is wonderful, but very overworked.
I think you fare much better in Scotland.

Hello, Elle!
There have been practices closed here too, though.
NHS Scotland is not all sweetness and light!
GPs retiring etc and patients having to join other practices.
But, in my own practice, there is a phlebotomist and the nurses do ECGs and other tests, quite routinely.
I certainly have no complaints about my own surgery.
I can usually get a same day appointment, too.
So, I feel very lucky.
It's a pity there was not a larger turn out at your meeting.

Hi, Rusty!
Well there is a duplicate meeting on Friday - different time, different site - so possibly there may be a better attendance at that one.
All patients supposedly were sent a letter....so no one can say that he/she didn't know!
Now........
I need help with my Iast three clues please!
11a: Deal rigged in game for bookmaker's enrichment (4,4)
G?L? / L?A?
23a: Some output d from sewer on street, a cause of irritation (7,6)
R?N?I?G / ?T?T?H
And the parsing for 22a: Proceed east of coastal city to find calm water (6)
I have LAGOON, because it fits!
But why?
I have long given up on being able to finish this unaided!

Hello, Elle!
Hopefully there will be a larger attendance on Friday!
Now, in 11a, it is not a bookie, but a bookmaker.
Golf is the game with anagram of "deal", giving "gold leaf".
23a, is "running stitch".
"on" is "running" "st" for street, and "itch" for irritation.
22, It is "go on" for proceed, or "east" in answer, after "LA" which is an abbreviation for Los Angeles.
OK?

Elle, this thing about "east"!
If you look at any word, let's say "dinner".
The first letter "d" is West, and the last letter "r" is East.
Just like on a map.
Any help?

Hi, Rusty!
Yes......thank you...I am following you .....
I would never have got 11a!
I ought to have seen the parsing for "lagoon" in 22a....
but I was way off beam with 23a because I had the wrong sort of "sewer"...my mind was firmly fixed on sewerage.......as in water drainage and waste disposal!
Oops!
All finally finished now and time for a hot drink.....and maybe a shortie biscuit......
Hopefully, tonight will be cooler than last.......

Hello, Elle!
The setter was intending you to think of the waste kind of sewer!
A good clue!
It is very warm here still.

I have been on YouTube.
This lad was one of my very favourite singers.
He died last year.
Not sure if you would know him or not?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQDWayLiOEE

Hi, Rusty!
Well, the setter's misdirection certainly worked with me!
I was easily led astray!
Yes, I do know of Don Williams....and I love that particular recording.
I shall go to bed with an earworm now!

Good morning, Elle!
This is forecast to be the hottest day for us, up here!
I have not been for my paper yet, (may even treat me to a choc ice!).
I liked Don Williams, he had a lovely deep tone in his voice.
He did a recording with Emmylou, too, but I did not really like it.
So... the spammers are in action again today, I see.
Time for Malone's puzzles?