Executives in Leicester are due to meet today to discuss whether the tradition of placing copies of the holy book in people’s bedside lockers should continue at the city’s three main hospitals.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is worried that the books could offend people from other faith groups who are receiving treatment. The trust also wants to examine whether the publications could increase the risk of spreading MRSA.

Gideons International, which distributes the Bibles widely in hospitals, hotels, cruise liners and prisons, said that their removal would be “outrageous”. Iain Mair, executive director of Gideons International UK headquarters, in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, said: “They are saying there’s a potential MRSA risk, and we say that is nonsense. They also say it’s discriminating against people of other faiths. I could show many letters received in our office expressing an appreciation for the testaments.

“It’s political correctness gone mad. We will put notes in the lockers that will say that, if a patient wants a book of another faith, these are the people they should contact. I hope there is a sensible solution to this.”

The trust said in a statement: “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.

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