Campaigners hoping to save the London Lighthouse HIV/AIDS centre as a health service facility have agreed to co-operate in a new consultation exercise which excludes it as a future provider of residential services.

The London NHS regions, which were asked to buy the building for the NHS, have said they have no powers to do so. And North Thames chair Ian Mills has ruled out influencing health authorities or trusts to buy it.

Local community health council chair Judith Blakeman said the fight to save the building was continuing. But if it failed, the CHC and users should be fully consulted on alternatives.

Details of the consultation were disclosed at a Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster HA meeting last week. A joint HA/ CHC working party will oversee the consultation and make recommendations in September.