NHS Tayside chiefs have decided to take the chapel table back

NHS Tayside returned the furniture to Crieff Parish Church after deciding the chapel at Perth Royal Infirmary must cater for people of all religions.

But following controversy over the decision the health trust has now asked for it back.

The matter will be discussed in full at a trust board meeting on Thursday.

NHS Tayside initially defended its decision and said it was trying to create a quiet room where patients, visitors, relatives and staff of all faiths could retire for quiet reflection and peace.

Political U-turn

It said the move was in line with Scottish Executive guidelines on creating a multi-faith area.

But following complaints from church members and local politicians it decided to go back on its decision.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: "Acting chairman of NHS Tayside Mr George King has instructed that the room at PRI is returned to the way it was prior to the decision being made."

She added that it may be necessary to convene a special meeting of the Spiritual Care Committee to "decide on the way forward".

This is an extraordinary decision by NHS Tayside which will cause real distress to many people of the Christian faith Murdo Fraser Conservative MSP

After initially hearing of the decision to remove the table, Moira Kerr, a member of Crieff Parish Church, said: "I am a Christian and I am seeing more and more of the things that we treasure being eroded away - our faith is being brutalised.

"I think it is terrible and I am absolutely appalled by it, as are many others in the congregation.

"These things are being done without anybody being consulted, it is ridiculous."

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser also joined the attacked on what he called a "politically correct" over-reaction and had written to the chairman of the trust asking for the matter to be reconsidered.

He said census figures published this week showed 65% of people living in Scotland considered themselves Christian whilst the next most popular faith, the Muslim faith, commanded 1%.

No offence

The representative for Mid Scotland and Fife said: "In my experience, these other faiths respect the Christian beliefs of the majority in our country and are not offended by Christian symbols.

"This is an extraordinary decision by NHS Tayside which will cause real distress to many people of the Christian faith.

"I know many constituents value the chapel in the hospital as a place to pray or simply seek peace at a difficult time when a relative or friend is ill.

"To remove the Christian symbols for what appears to be no more than political correctness is quite unacceptable."