NHS TAYSIDE has taken steps to provide for people of all faiths and none at Ninewells Hospital and Perth Royal Infirmary in a bid to defuse a dispute earlier this year that saw a clash between secular and religious beliefs.

A row erupted in March when it was revealed that a decision to strip PRI’s chapel of its Christian identity had been quickly reversed in the face of widespread condemnation.

Health bosses initially defended their decision to remove a Christian communion table from the chapel in the interests of promoting a multi-faith society, but were strongly criticised by Christians who saw it as an attack on their faith.

However, when the table was replaced, there were complaints from other faiths and secular people that Christianity was being forced upon them.

Yesterday, NHS Tayside’s spiritual care sub committee heard that extra space has now been found at both hospitals where people with secular beliefs can be cared for in a spiritual sense.

Director of operations Frank Brown said spiritual care accommodation had been allocated as part of NHS Tayside’s ongoing review of its hospitals and after listening to the views of the public.

He said, “This extra space will help us achieve the objective of spiritual support to people of all faiths or none, while at the same time reassuring the community that nothing will be removed from our current facilities and that all faith groups are considered equally in terms of their needs for spiritual care.”

Mr Brown said a planning group will be formed over the coming months which will include representatives from the different faith communities, belief groups and members of staff.

It will look at what is required for spiritual care accommodation in Tayside, and their proposals and plans will then be displayed in PRI and Ninewells to allow the public to pass comment.

Mr Brown added, “During this planning and consultation process the current arrangements in PRI and Ninewells will remain as they are.

“We have not set any timescale at this early stage. However we believe that the additional space at PRI will be provided as part of the acute balance of care project which is looking at redesigning the hospital.

“As part of the new spiritual care development at Ninewells, we will also include space for specialised bereavement care.”