A SUPERMARKET trolley-style token system for wheelchairs has been introduced at the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

Patients who want to use a wheelchair from the main reception at the country's National Waiting Times hospital in Clydebank must have a token.

Hospital bosses claim there is no issue with people stealing wheelchairs, but say it is a pilot programme to make sure the mobility equipment is returned and available to other patients.

But campaign groups insist that hospital staff should help disabled and unwell people with their wheelchair instead of providing a self-service system.

A similar scheme introduced last year by Raigmore Hospital, in Inverness, where patients were asked to use a token or a pound coin, drew widespread criticism.

Jean Turner, of Scotland Patients Association, said: "It's just like super- market shopping trolleys, but this is a hospital and the people who require a chair need a lot more care and help than in a supermarket.

"If there was somebody there who could receive the patient and help them to a chair without the relative having to park the car go and get a token and a wheelchair, that would be much more helpful.

"They are trying to provide a service without the human face. I think it is a sad reflection of our times that hospitals have taken to locking up wheelchairs and asking people to use tokens. You would think they could find a better system."

Unison regional organiser Matt McLaughlin questioned if bosses were "off their trolley."

He said: "No doubt health boards will claim that this is the only way to ensure that there are wheelchairs available at front doors. UNISON believes that proper staffing levels and better planning of patient parking would ensure better patient access and higher quality services.

"Given the bad publicity that this has created at other hospitals, you have to wonder if someone in the management team has gone off their trolley on this one."

A spokesman from the Golden Jubilee said: "To help to ensure that wheelchairs are returned and are readily accessible, we recently introduced a pilot programme using card operated wheelchairs in our main reception area.

"The cards are available from our main reception area on request. Non-card operated (normal) wheelchairs are also available throughout the hospital for our patients."

The spokesman said they wanted feedback from the pilot, which started four days ago. He said: "We take pride in having an environment of continuous improvement.

"This is only made possible by listening to the users of our services. Therefore, we will be evaluating this pilot programme based on patients, visitors and public feedback."