SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM N-8A

                  NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION FILED PURSUANT
             TO SECTION 8(A) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

         The undersigned investment company hereby notifies the Securities and
Exchange Commission that it registers under and pursuant to the provisions of
Section 8(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and in connection with such
notification of registration submits the following information:

Name:             BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

Address of Principal Business Office (No. & Street, City, State, Zip Code):

                  100 Bellevue Parkway
                  Wilmington, Delaware 19809

Telephone Number (including area code):

                  (888) 825-2257

Name and address of agent for service of process:

                  Anne F. Ackerley
                  40 East 52nd Street
                  New York, New York 10022

With copies of Notices and Communications to:

                  Michael K. Hoffman, Esq.
                  Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
                  Four Times Square
                  New York, New York 10036





Check Appropriate Box:

                  Registrant is filing a Registration Statement pursuant to
Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 concurrently with the filing
of Form N-8A:

                           YES      [X]               NO      [ ]






                                   SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
the sole trustee of the registrant has caused this notification of registration
to be duly signed on behalf of the registrant in the city of New York and the
state of New York on the 21st day of January, 2005.


[SEAL]

                                        BlackRock Health Sciences Trust
                                        (REGISTRANT)



                                        By:    /s/ Anne F. Ackerley
                                           ----------------------------------
                                            Anne F. Ackerley
                                            Sole Trustee



Attest:   /s/ Anne F. Ackerley
         ----------------------------
         Anne F. Ackerley
         Sole Trustee