Update: Following Proposed Ban, Decision Made to Keep Bibles at Hospital Bedsides

June 9, 2005

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/4077988.stm

On June 9, 2005 BBC News reported, "A hospitals trust criticised for reviewing the tradition of having Bibles by patients' bedsides have pledged they will remain. The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said it wanted to look at how to accommodate all religious texts in its hospitals. It was also concerned whether the Bibles could spread the superbug MRSA. Bible distributors, Gideons International, had accused the trust of 'political correctness gone mad.' Trust chairman Philip Hammersley said at a board meeting on Thursday: "Let me make it very clear that at no time has the trust considered banning Bibles from our wards or hospitals...Gideons Bibles will remain in patient bedside lockers. In addition, information will also be placed in all lockers advising patients that other religious texts are available on request."