Bad news for good book

By Rebecca Fraser
BIBLES are taking a bashing after being excluded from hospital bedsides.
The holy books have been removed at Dandenong Hospital and never became a bedside fixture at the new Casey hospital.
The break from tradition has disappointed local churches that believe the Bible will be greatly missed.
Senior Pastor Berwick Church of Christ Barry Cutchie said he was very disappointed that hospitals were taking this step.
Mr Cutchie said he believed the move was driven by political correctness.
He said the Bible helped people to find assurance in times of need, in times of hurt and in times of anger and sadness while allowing people to feel the presence of God.
“The presence of the Gideon Bible has been a great comfort to many people.”
“The Bible helps people in times of need.”
“I have met many people whose lives have been greatly changed through the work of the Gideon,” he said.
Pastor Kal Naidu of the Christian Community Church in Hallam said he would appreciate it if the hospitals reinstated the Bibles at patients’ bedsides.
He said he too was very disappointed by the move as he had seen first hand the benefits of praying and having faith during times of sickness.
“I have seen a lot of miracles where people have had faith and gotten better.
“I have seen good results from people having a Bible by their bedside and praying while in hospital.
“It really does give sick people comfort and this is disappointing for them,” he said.
Gideons International Australia, which distribute Bibles at hospitals, schools and motels, declined to speak to the News this week due to the coverage they had received in the metropolitan press.
This week news that the Bibles had been removed from bedsides sparked much community and religious debate and some hospitals claimed the holy books had been removed as an infection control measure.
However, a spokesman for Casey Hospital said although the hospital did not have Bibles at patients’ bedsides they were readily available upon demand.
“Casey Hospital has an active multi-faith chaplaincy service covering all major faiths,” he said.
“We have a multi-faith Sacred Space in which religious texts, including the Bible, are available.
“Bibles have never been kept at the patient bedside, but our chaplains are happy to provide them on request.
“A patient bedside guide includes information about chaplaincy services and how to contact them.”
A response from Dandenong Hospital also stated that the hospital had an active multi-faith chaplaincy service covering all major faiths and Chaplains regularly visited wards.
They too have a multi-faith Sacred Space, in which religious texts, including the Bible are available.
The spokesman said Bibles had not been kept at patient bedside for some time, but the hospital’s Chaplains were happy to provide them upon request.
The hospital also has a patient bedside guide with information about chaplaincy services and how to contact them.