St Thomas' Hospital:

Originally founded in c.1100 by Augustinian monks and nuns
Monastery was dissolved in 1539 and the hospital closed
City of London authorities petitioned the crown and in 1551 King Edward VI granted the site by royal charter and the site reopened that year
Became a hospital for the sick poor and also treating patients suffering from venereal disease

Christ's Hospital:

Founded in 1553 by Edward VI
Offered shelter, clothing and food to fatherless children, alongside basic education

Bridewell hospital:

This was the fifth 'royal hospital'
It housed homeless children
Also, punished the disorderly poor

Voluntary hospitals were not just a phenomenon specific to London, towns across the country had local councils that organised endowments to keep their hospitals open. During the 16th century, hospitals moved from religious institutions to hospitals that began to employ medical staff for the first time. Medical care began to have a focus on patients.

The Church and Hospitals