By Dave Lord

MOVES TO ensure Christians are guaranteed a sacred place for worship and reflection at both Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells in Dundee have been branded a “backward step” by humanists.

They yesterday insisted Christian symbols could be offensive to some and claimed hospitals were an inappropriate location for such items of faith.

There was a storm of controversy earlier this year when The Courier revealed that Christian symbols had been removed from the chapel at PRI.

With claims of “political correctness gone mad” ringing in their ears members of the NHS Tayside spiritual care committee this month pledged to reverse their decision.

However, after announcing that suitable spaces for Christians will once again be made available in all Tayside’s acute hospitals, it seems the NHS simply cannot win.

“We are seeking urgent clarification about the reported decision taken by the spiritual care committee to restore Christian symbols of worship in Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital,” said Ronald McLaren of the Dundee Group of Tayside Humanists.

“We are concerned to hear details of this about-turn.

“In the light of a clearly stated policy endorsed by the Scottish Executive requiring a multi-faith/no faith quiet room for reflection with no signs of privilege, any proposal to flout the spirit of this policy by providing separate rooms seems to fly in the face of multi-use inclusiveness.”

The humanists insist Christians have been unfair in their stinging criticism of the original decision to remove Christian items from PRI’s chapel.

“This apparent U-turn smacks of a knee-jerk reaction to pressure from individuals fearful of some form of contamination when people of all or no faith freely combine in the sensible use of scarce resources,” Mr McLaren stated.

“If there has been a change in the multi/no faith approach to spiritual care in our hospitals then this should have been debated more openly in public so that it had the clear consent of all users of such facilities.

“Deciding on this matter, seemingly behind closed doors, suggests a panic move to placate those with a ‘special treatment’ agenda.

“Any change back to the old system of chaplaincies is a backward step.”

Mr McLaren accused Christian groups of being “provocative and divisive.”

“Any move to show favouritism for any religion or philosophy over others is unacceptable.

“We will be discussing this with our humanist representative on the spiritual care committee.

“Our hospitals must not be allowed to become a free-for-all for religious groups attempting to assert their rights over others, displaying symbols of faith that may be intrusive and offensive...”

NHS Tayside has insisted appropriate space will be found for those of all faiths and none.