UK hospitals may ban bedside Bibles

Hospital bosses in Britain are considering moving Bibles from patients’ bedsides because of concerns about offending non-Christians and spreading the superbug MRSA, it emerged today.

They will meet tomorrow to discuss whether the tradition of placing copies of the Bible in people's bedside lockers should continue at Leicester’s three main hospitals.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is worried that the Gideons testaments could offend people from other faith groups who are receiving treatment.

At the same time, the Trust wants to consult on whether the publications could increase the risk of spreading MRSA if they become contaminated with body fluids.

Gideons International, which distributes the Bibles widely in hospitals, hotels, cruise liners and prisons, said their removal would be “outrageous”.

Iain Mair, executive director of Gideons International UK headquarters in Leicestershire, said: “We understand that the hospital authorities are having a meeting tomorrow to discuss ordering the removal of these testaments from bedsides.

“Firstly, they are saying there’s a potential MRSA risk, and we say that is nonsense.”

Gideons International commissioned reports from medical consultants about the potential risk which found there was no danger, Mr Mair added.

He said: “They also say its discriminating against people of other faiths. It’s outrageous – political correctness gone mad. We will put notes in the lockers which will say that, if a patient wants a book of another faith, these are the people they should contact.”

Mr Mair said his organisation had also agreed to the trust’s request to run its volunteers through criminal records bureau checks before they are allowed to enter wards to distribute the Bibles.

“I could show many letters received in our office expressing an appreciation for the testaments, which provided a source of comfort to people when they were receiving major surgery,” he said.

“I hope there’s a sensible solution to this.”

In a statement, the Trust said: “University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust is committed to religious diversity and equality.

“The Trust can confirm that discussions are currently taking place between the Chaplaincy, Infection Control, Service Equality and Volunteer Services departments to determine whether religious texts will continue to be provided in patients’ bedside lockers at Leicester General Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield Hospital.

“However, discussions are still in the early stages, meaning no proposals have yet been put forward by staff and no final decision has yet been made on this issue.

“Regardless of the outcome of the discussions, patients can be reassured that religious texts will continue to be made available at the Trust’s three hospitals through the Chaplaincy.”

A Trust spokeswoman confirmed that concerns about the Bibles spreading MRSA and offending other faith groups would be discussed at the meeting.