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Good morning, Rusty!
It is wild here , too! Wet and windy!
The winds are very strong and branches were already beginning to hurl down from some of the trees in the park.
Safer to stay at home, I think, for the remainder of the day!
Yes, these "no -shows" are a poor do.....
Failure to turn up, or cancel an appointment in good time, means that unfortunately some other patient has missed the chance of treatment instead.
I think Angelique Kerber is on a roll - she seems back to her old form.
The Women's Championship is proving very interesting indeed!
I wonder who is playing today?

Hello, Elle!
Wild winds and sunny here!
Just home.
The "no shows" are tricky to deal with.
I think some folk need a carer or relative with them.
I often see that.
I can't see an excuse for it though.
And the hospital folk I spoke to yesterday had no idea of what is best to do with them.
My letter said each "no show" costs NHS £177.
Federer is playing, or he was when I left earlier.
He was up 2 sets to Berdych and was wearing pink shoes and a pink band on his shirt!

Hi, Rusty!
I think it's never as straightforward as it sounds.
I have known appointments/ tests /operations be cancelled with very short notice...or times / dates changed... thereby giving the patient potential problems should he or she have personal commitments....,,,,such as being a carer for an elderly parent; having to rearrange child care; maybe needing to organise kennels for a dog or house sitting for a cat.....
There are "faults" in the system from several angles...it is difficult to find a way around the situation with the least disturbance.
A never considers B etc......whereas X is way out on a limb!
I may get Roger as my "Highlight" match then today?
That will be at 4.45 pm on BBC2
I wonder why "pink"?
Is there any significance in the colour?

I think the pink worn at Oz tennis may be something to do with a cancer charity set up by an Oz cricketer, Glen McGrath, whose wife died from it. Although a different sport the charity has a very high profile, particularly in sporting circles.

On the other side of the 'no show' coin, a lot of time is wasted because patient notes don't follow the patient when away from the GP.

Hello, Elle!
I can well understand someone 'phoning to cancel or change an appointment time, because things DO happen.
But to just not turn up and not let the hospital know, is not on.
But, I do not know the solution, although I would imagine the powers that be have given it some thought.
Now, Elle and Kenyatta!
I have had a wee look to see "why pink?"
Most articles say it is a Nike decision, because pink is the best colour to contrast the blue of the courts.

http://www.sportingnews.com/tennis/news/reason-why-tennis-players-wear-pink-australian-open-photos/4jvakljas11v1bsj37127pv0r

I should have guessed Nike were at the back of it!

Hi, Rusty!
It seems to be only the male tennis players who are dressed in pink?
Maybe Nike are not sponsoring any of the females!
Yes, I do agree with you that it is totally wrong not to notify the hospital authorities if a patient intends not to keep an appointment.
I was just wanting to air the predicaments in which some patients often find themselves due to lack of forethought by the hospital staff.
There are two sides to every coin.
I am not coming down on any particular side - just playing devil's advocate.......
Now to the crossword ...have you done yours?
I cannot do 22d: Ducks lose strength after eating some corn (6)
I have ?E?R?E
I am completely stuck....
I thought of "OO" for "ducks", but that obviously doesn't fit......
where am I going wrong, please?
This is my LOI.
The rain is pelting down here!



Hello, Kenyatta,
It is nice to see you joining in.
It would be a nice idea were the clothing to reflect a charity.
Food for thought for the tournament organisers?

Hello, Elle!
I did not realise the Nike women were not in pink?
I seem to remember Miss Sharapova in a lime green outfit?
22d is my favourite clue today!
Some corn is "ear" and to lose strength is to "die", around "ear".
Giving "dearie" for "ducks"!
I like it!

Hello, Elle,
Well, as someone who has never missed an appointment, (I was 24 hours early for one, though!) I tend to support NHS's opinion.
But I do not know the answer.
Just too easy to say "fine them".
How do you get the money?
Are they barred from NHS until fine is paid, with who knows what consequences to their health?
Not easy at all!

Hi, Rusty!
I just popped out briefly with the dog.....
Now both of us are very wet!
And it seems to be getting colder again!
A hot drink would appear to be a good idea?
I have put the kettle on!
My "ducks" were either the waddling variety or cricket terms!
I never thought of its meaning "dearie".......
I got the golfing clue!
Have you been watching more tennis?
Please do NOT tell me how Roger did...I am going to hope that highlights of the match are shown on BBC at 4.45!

Hello, Elle!
Think the wind has dropped a bit here, although there are restrictions on the Road Bridge.
Yes, ducks and dearie are terms of endearment!
Wonder if "dearie" comes from endearment?
Maybe the opposite and endearment comes from "dear"?
I liked that clue, though took a wee while to "see" it!
No, I have not been watching any more tennis.
I think they are all asleep down in Oz.