Last week, we revealed the Vale of Leven Hospital shop would close its doors for the last time over the weekend of September 21-22. The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), which runs the shop, had made the decision because it was no longer financially sustainable.

The decision has been criticised by both Lily Kennedy, chairwoman of the West Dunbartonshire Community Care Forum and Jackie Baillie MSP.

Now, a leading hospital campaigner has spoken out about the closure and called on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) health board to step in and save the shop. In an open letter addressed to Andrew Robertson, chairman of GGC, Jim Moohan of Hospitalwatch stated: “Through the years we have had many cuts and faced many challenges for the hospital.

“The shop itself, as you can well understand, gives a clear image of openness and warmth to the visitors. We find it difficult to understand the very limited cost savings that can be achieved by cutting this facility as there are little to no financial overheads involved.

“We write to you in your capacity as chairman who we believe has the power within his good office to change a proposal which is really an insult to the community and the thousands of visitors who pay their respects to their relatives and friends, and travel in some cases 50 to 75 miles.

“We ask you to directly intervene and we are confident your voice will be one which will be appreciated and acknowledged in expressing the opinion that this facility, as like any other hospital, gives a warm and inviting welcome to the visitors.” A replacement trolley service will be introduced by RVS, which will sell newspapers, magazines and a selection of snacks, fruit and drinks.

One trolley will be at the hospital entrance and another will go round the various wards each day.

Margaret Paterson, head of operations for RVS Scotland, had previously told the Reporter: “As a charity, we must ensure all our services are sustainable and that every penny goes towards helping older people in the community.

“We would like to thank all of our volunteers and staff for their hard work at the service; we know their efforts have been very much appreciated by those using the shop.” A spokeswoman for GGC told the Reporter the fate of the shop was out of the health board’s hands.

The spokeswoman said: “The shop in the Vale of Leven Hospital is operated by the RVS which has made the decision to close it. We provided support to the charity to allow them to operate the shop however the final decision lay with the RVS.

“We remain supportive of the RVS and are currently in discussion with them to look at the option of providing a trolley service in the hospital.”