As society continues to age, many elderly patients with limited mobility find it difficult to access medical services independently, while their children, burdened with work responsibilities, are often unable to accompany them. In response to this growing challenge, clinic escort services have emerged. Yet in the commercial market, such services typically cost between RMB 200 and 500 per hour—a price that many seniors find prohibitive. How, then, can these pressing needs be truly met?

Since July last year, Baoshan has piloted a volunteer clinic escort program at Renhe Hospital of Baoshan District and Miaohang Town Community Health Service Center, led by Party members. The initiative quickly garnered widespread acclaim. By September, it had expanded to cover all public hospitals and 18 community health centers across the district.Today, with over 400 volunteers—including Party members, community workers, and university students—the district’s escort teams have provided dedicated assistance to more than 14,000 patients, delivering not just timely support, but also warmth and reassurance to those in need.

Familiar Halls, Renewed Warmth

A Party member volunteer escorts a patient at Renhe Hospitalof Baoshan District. [Photo by Gu Yong]

Located at the boundary between Zhangmiao Subdistrict and Miaohang Town, Renhe Hospitalof Baoshan District serves as Baoshan District’s geriatric medical center, where more than half of the patients are elderly.One day in mid-April, Ms. Liu, a septuagenarian with impaired vision and limited mobility, arrived for a follow-up accompanied by her son. As they entered the outpatient hall, a volunteer immediately approached to offer assistance. From registration and payment to medical tests and collecting prescriptions, the entire process unfolded smoothly and with care.“My mother has been coming here for years. This place feels so familiar, but now—with such a warm, human touch—it’s even more comforting,” her son said, visibly moved.

As a pilot site for the district’svolunteer clinic escort program, Renhe Hospital of Baoshan District began recruiting volunteers as early as June last year. Over 70 people joined the first cohort, two-thirds of them Party members.“Every winter, my mother stayed here to recover her strength. The doctors and nurses treated her with such kindness. When the opportunity arose to give something back, I signed up without hesitation,” said a volunteer.

Patients in need of escort services can now book appointments either by calling the hospital or visiting their neighborhood committee offices. To further streamline access, the hospital launched an escort reservation feature on its WeChat official account last month.Today, the volunteer team has expanded to 110 members, assisting over 6,000 patients.“Now we no longer worry about getting lost or delayed,” said one grateful patient. “Seeing the doctor has become so much more efficient—and so much more reassuring.”

Escort Services Extend Even Through the Night

Volunteer escorts remain on duty during night clinics. [Photo by Gu Yong]

Not long ago, Mr. Gao, an octogenarian who is bedridden, was rushed by ambulance to the Miaohang Town Community Health Service Center for urgent observation.While waiting for his family to arrive, a volunteer accompanied him for seven continuous hours, facilitating communication between Mr. Gao and the medical staff and providing steady psychological comfort.Thanks to this seamless support, Mr. Gao’s transfer to a higher-level hospital was arranged promptly. By the time his family arrived, all procedures had been completed—leaving them profoundly grateful.

Serving nearly 100,000 residents across 22 neighborhoods and villages, Miaohang’s Community Health Service Center operates four branch clinics. Since launching its night clinics in March last year, patient numbers have steadily climbed.“Our night clinics cater to office workers and students who can’t find time during the day,” said the Party branch secretary.Volunteer escorts have been a constant presence even during these late hours, assisting over 550 patients so far.“For some who feel unwell yet must face hospitals alone, having a volunteer by their side makes all the difference.”

The Appreciation Note Left by Patients at Renji Hospital’s Baoshan Branch

At Renji Hospital’s Baoshan Branch (formerly Dachang Hospital), the escort volunteer team has expanded to include university students.Nineteen members of Shanghai University’s Sign Language Club have joined the team of veteran Party member volunteers to assist patients with special needs.Late last year, a visually impaired couple visited the hospital—the husband carefully navigating with a white cane, his pregnant wife tightly clutching his arm.Sensing their hesitation, volunteer Wang Guowei immediately approached them with a reassuring voice, “Rest assured. I will guide you through every step,” he said warmly, placing his volunteer ID into their hands so they could feel it.With Wang’s patient guidance, the couple completed all medical procedures with ease and peace of mind.

Since the launch of the program, the average waiting time for patients with special needs has dropped by 40%, while patient complaints have fallen by 65%, and community satisfaction has risen markedly according to the Party secretary of the branch.

Volunteer Clinic Escorts as Part of the Effort to Upgrade Services

Why has Baoshan invested so deeply in volunteer escort services?Health officials explain that surveys revealed a significant aging population within the district, with many elderly residents living alone, and navigating modern, increasingly digitalized medical systems often proved overwhelming for them.At the same time, many seniors, bereaved families, disabled individuals, and those with limited financial means were unable to afford commercial escort services—making volunteer assistance not just helpful, but essential.

“Embedding volunteer escorts into regular healthcare services strengthens our ‘top-to-bottom integrated’ medical system while pioneering a healthcare model infused with human warmth,” said an official from the Baoshan District Health Commission.“This approach enhances service accessibility.”

To ensure quality and consistency, Baoshan compiled Shanghai’s first Volunteer Clinic Escort Service Handbook for Party Members, providing clear guidelines on service scope, recruitment processes, and training content—complemented by animated instructional videos.“As a small token of appreciation for our volunteers, we offer complimentary lunches, regular sharing sessions, and free health checkups,” added the Party branch secretary of Renji Hospital’s Baoshan Branch.

Moreover, Baoshanhas introduced five “Healthy Bus Routes,” directly connecting residential neighborhoods to hospitals.With close cooperation between neighborhood committees and hospitals, volunteers now escort patients seamlessly from the moment they board the bus, ensuring continuous support throughout their medical journey.Looking ahead, Baoshan plans to recruit even more retired Party members and studentParty members in the university, expanding the escort teams and making compassionate, convenient healthcare truly accessible to all.