Archbishop Vincent Nichols said human rights may be breached

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust will save �100,000 at a time of financial difficulties across the NHS.

Two Anglican chaplains, three Roman Catholics and another from the Free Church would get the axe.

Archbishop of Birmingham Vincent Nichols said some groups needed chaplains of their own faith and said the Human Rights Act may be breached.

The Anglican Bishop of Worcester has already attacked the plans, as has union Amicus, saying terminally-ill patients will be denied proper spiritual support.

In a letter to hospital trust chief executive John Rostill, Archbishop Nichols said: "For Catholics, access to the ministry of the Church, and in particular the sacraments, is an essential part of life.

We know that this action will cause distress Hospital trust

"Despite a welcome growth in co-operation there are specific religious boundaries, which in the end entail that some faith communities can only be ministered to by those of their own faith."

Mr Rostill has said cuts were needed to fulfil the trust's primary duty of providing clinical care to its patients.

He said: "We know that this action will cause distress.

"However, the need to maintain the level of clinical roles and medical and nursing expertise is of paramount importance.