The Nativity scene at Noble's hospital has been moved back into the main foyer, says the Department of Health and Social Care.
It had been claimed online the scene had been moved to the hospital's inter-denominational chapel, for fear of offending non-Christians.
The department has said that was not the reason for putting it in the chapel.
A statement from the department says it wants to dispel any rumours the figures were moved on the grounds that they may offend people.
It says the Nativity scene at Noble’s, which was donated by St Mary’s church in 2013, is on display along with many other Christmas decorations.
The figures were displayed for the first time last year, so there is no ‘usual’ location for them as such.
It adds that feedback from the public when the scene was first up last year suggested the figures took up a lot of room in the cafe space, which was particularly noticeable during busy periods.
On that basis, a decision was taken to put the scene elsewhere in the hospital this year.