THERE are no plans to close a Catholic chapel at North Manchester General Hospital, health bosses have said.

Despite that reassurance, concerns are still rife that St Raphael's Chapel might close after medical chiefs announced a consultation about religious services at the hospital.

Besides the chapel, there are prayer spaces for Protestants and Jews and two for Muslims — one for men and one for women.

It is understood one issue is that the Muslim men's room does not have washing facilities and a request has been made for St Raphael's to become a Muslim prayer space.

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said one idea is for Catholics to share a prayer space with Protestants but they emphasised that there are no firm plans on the table.

Ahead of any firm proposals being announced, Father Ged Murphy, of St Patrick's Church in Collyhurst, has started an online petition which has so far gained 4,600 signatures.

In a message accompanying the petition, Father Murphy wrote: "Worship spaces are going to be provided for Muslims, Jewish people and Protestant Christians, and even a quiet room for people of no faith at all.

"Yet it is proposed that Catholics should have no space of their own.

"St Raphael's Chapel contains the Blessed Sacrament and Mass is celebrated weekly.

"It is well used and highly valued by patients, staff and visitors at the hospital.

"Please stop this valued resource which is much needed when people are at their lowest ebb."

Colette Pritchard, who lives in Bury, said: "I am pleased that this issue is being raised.

"Councillors need to hear our voice of protest. Any proposal to close this valued facility must not be tolerated."

The trust's chaplaincy co-ordinator, Reverend John Hall, said: "We have no plans to close any facilities including the Catholic chapel.

"We have a number of different chapels and rooms at the hospital and we are currently looking at how these are used so that we have the best possible arrangements that meet everyone's needs.

"We are about to start consultation with the local community, faith groups and relevant staff members to discuss all our current issues and to listen to all views and opinions.

"This meeting is currently being organised and a meeting time agreed." It will take place this week.

Rev Hall added: "We recognise and fully support the important role of faith leaders in supporting patients, carers, relatives and staff during often difficult times in hospital.

"We also make great efforts to ensure that we have dedicated rooms and facilities which meet the needs of various faiths and also for people of no faith."