The Trustees of St Luke's Hospital for the Clergy have completed a lease of the hospital property at 14 Fitzroy Square, London to BMI Healthcare Ltd.

BMI has taken over the running of the Hospital, as a going concern, for its own patients. The Trustees are now negotiating the sale of the freehold of the property with the benefit of the lease, with the aim of discharging the Charity's obligations and funding its ongoing work.

This represents the culmination of a marketing process that started last autumn, and which had previously involved an acceptance by the Trustees of an offer from a major London hospital, which was withdrawn in mid-January at the eleventh hour.

The Trustees' Vision for the 21^st Century had been to close the Hospital and to provide a more relevant healthcare service to a greater number of Clergy closer to their homes and places of work around the country. Sadly, in view of the change in economic circumstances, it currently appears unlikely that the Trustees' ambitious ideas for the future of the Charity, as set out in that vision, will be achievable.

However, when the sale of the freehold has been completed, the Trustees will be able to assess how best any remaining assets, after obligations have been discharged, can be used for the ongoing healthcare of the Clergy.

The principal remaining asset of the Charity is the work of the Honorary Consultants, who give their time and talents entirely free to advise and treat the Clergy. Many Honorary Consultants are prepared to continue with this service to the Clergy, even though St Luke's Hospital has closed.

For the time being, referrals of Clergy patients will continue to be handled by the Medical Secretary, Hazel Adams, from 14 Fitzroy Square. She can be contacted on 020 7388 4954.

For further information please contact Mr. Neil Stevenson 020 7388 4954 Neil.Stevenson@stlukeshospital.org.uk