make room for the landlord's family.

And even though the owners have no hard feelings, some of the patients are furious.

The Practice, located above Phase One video store near Collector's Hill, Smith's Parish, received the bad news last Friday.

The Nurses Practice -- which offers continuous support to expecting parents from the moment they discover they are pregnant up until the child is one year old -- has been at the location for five years on a month to month lease.

"We got the notice of eviction on Friday,'' said partner Rita Stevens. " My partner Liz Boden had already made arrangements to fly out to visit her mother on Saturday.'' Landlord and Phase One owner Edmund Marshall explained the space was needed for another business and that it was not possible for NP to be relocated.

"One of the partners in the building wishes to have the space. It's as simple as that,'' he said. "A family member wants an office and we need the space.

"We're not angry,'' said Ms Stevens. "We understand that these things happen.'' But she added that the practice's patients were upset about the news.

"They said they would go with their bellies, babies and buggies and have a little protest on Front Street to make the landlord change his mind.

"We're hoping that the public will be able to help by offering us a space or letting us know of something that's available.'' Andrea Dismont-Robinson from Aunt Nea's Inn was very upset to learn the NP will have to close their doors.

"My husband (Government backbencher) Delaey Robinson and I went through the Baby Grow Programme there,'' Mrs. Dismont-Robinson said.

She estimated that about one third of all live births on Island pass through the practice's doors.

"It is silly to evict them,'' said Mrs. Dismont-Robinson. "They offer a lot of exposure for surrounding businesses. I think their businesses will suffer as a result of the eviction.'' Now The Nurses Practice is expected to move out and even though they do not know where they will end up they are hopeful that the future will work itself out.

It will work itself out: The Nurses Practice owners Liz Boden and Rita Stevens are hopeful that they will have a new home before they are expected to leave their South Road premises on March 31.

HEALTH HTH