By Marjory Inglis, health reporter

TAYSIDE HEALTH chiefs tried to broker a peace yesterday after an unholy war erupted over changes to the chapel at Perth Royal Infirmary.

It emerged the row had its roots in a decision taken in October 2003.

NHS Tayside’s acting chairman George King made a public apology for any offence given but made a plea to “move on.”

In an attempt to make the chapel suitable for people of all faiths and not exclusively a Christian area, the chapel’s communion table was returned late last year to the congregation in Crieff that originally donated it.

But when that became more widely known recently, it sparked a public outrage with complaints it was political correctness gone mad.

Now a halt has been called on any changes to the chapel and members of the public are to be given an opportunity to influence a decision on its future that will be taken at a special public meeting of NHS Tayside’s spiritual care committee to be called to review the situation and find a way forward.

In an unusual move yesterday, members of the board of NHS Tayside agreed to take time out from the formal agenda of their monthly meeting in King’s Cross Hospital, Dundee, to discuss the issue.

Mrs Liz Forsyth, who chairs the board’s spiritual care committee, stressed there had been absolutely no intention to cause any offence. Indeed the intention had been to provide a “place for reflection” for those of all faiths and of none.

Her committee, which includes representatives of many different faiths, took a decision last year to provide multi faith quiet rooms in hospitals across the region.

Mrs Forsyth said the plan was to provide “elements” for all faiths. A Muslim would find prayer mats and the Koran in the quiet rooms and a Christian would be able to read a Bible.

What was needed for people to practise their faith would be there but there would be “no emphasis on one particular faith.” She explained the committee was implementing a spiritual care policy approved by the full board in October 2003.

Board member Diana Campbell said she believed in an attempt to recognise every faith, the board had been “interpreted” as denying Christianity.

Bringing the debate to a close, Mr King said, “On behalf of myself and the board I would wish to apologise to anybody whose sensitivities have been offended by what happened.”

He called for a public special meeting of the spiritual care committee and proposed that a notice be placed outside the PRI chapel with, if possible, an artist’s impression of the proposed developments. The notice would “clearly state” the intention of the board with regard to the refurbishment and would be available for four weeks.

“During that period for anybody who wishes to comment or even complain, there will be a name on the notice who they can contact,” Mr King said.

The board agreed the refurbishment would only progress after a decision at the spiritual care committee’s special meeting after the four-week public consultation period.

“We missed a trick in terms of communication, but I also think we need to move on,” said Mr King.