Spending plans for artwork in Northern Ireland hospitals are to be reviewed, according to the North's Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey.
He said there should be clear guidance on commissioning paintings. However, he recognised the benefits of a "therapeutic" environment in aiding patients' recovery.
Health trusts can spend up to 1 per cent of their budget on art but the Minister said there was no question of £30 million being used over the next decade.
"My priority is putting patients first and investing in frontline health services," he said.
Workers' unions had called on the health department to step in to ensure money that was used to bolster essential treatment and protect jobs.
Mr McGimpsey said there never were plans to spend millions of pounds on art. There had been allegations that £4 million had been set aside for artworks as part of plans for the extension of the Ulster Hospital in Belfast.
"Recent allegations concerning the Ulster Hospital simply were not true," Mr McGimpsey said.
"It is equally misleading to suggest that monies spent on improving the patient environment could result in job losses or a decline in patient care." He said the money spent on art came from the capital budget.