Nottingham City Hospital explains crucifix change dubbed 'distressing' by petition

Reverend Andrew Keith pictured in the faith room at Nottingham City Hospital in 2019

Nottingham City Hospital has explained why it replaced the crucifix in its faith room after thousands signed a petition calling the move “deeply distressing.” Nearly 5,000 people have now signed the online petition in response to a small change made to the hospital’s multi-faith space.

The Nottingham University Hospital Trust (NUH) says it has simply replaced the original crucifix with a smaller version so that it is “more consistent with other faith symbols in the room.” The trust says the faith room has always been fully inclusive of all faiths and that the crucifix replacement was done to better reflect that.

Gilbert George, the director of corporate governance at NUH, said: “The faith space at City Hospital has always been used for multiple purposes and by multiple faiths, including those who have no faith. This has not changed. Our chaplaincy team are currently exploring how we make sure the space is a welcoming, appropriate and hospitable room for everyone.”

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The online petition mentions a proposed conversion of the faith room, something NUH insists is not happening. In terms of the crucifix removal, the petition states: “We earnestly request the hospital CEO and the director board to… reinstate the [crucifix] on the main wall and ensure full accessibility to the [faith room] for Christian services and personal prayers.

“This petition serves as a call to action to rectify the current situation and reaffirm the importance of representing various religious and cultural beliefs on campus while promoting mutual respect among staff, patients, and relatives.”

Mr George added: “We know that some people have been distressed at the replacement of the large cross with a smaller one more consistent with other faith symbols in the room. This decision was taken to ensure that the space is as inclusive as possible and was made by a working group within our chaplaincy team – not at the request of any particular faith group.

“We are engaging directly with those individuals to listen to their concerns and will be working with our chaplaincy team, colleagues and visitors to co design the future use of this valuable facility.” The Southwell and Nottingham Church History Project says the faith room opened at Nottingham City Hospital after the closure of the historic St Luke’s in 1988, with the original church in the hospital’s grounds having been built between the late 1890s and the early 1900s.