The Klerksdorp/ Tshepong Hospital Complex have introduced an Escorting Project, which will allow nursing assistants to accompany referral patients to Johannesburg hospitals. The project aims to ensure that patients receive quality care and reduce waiting times. The hospital is the largest provincial hospital operating as the referral hospital for Dr K Kaunda District, Ruth Mopati District as well as tertiary services for the entire province. Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Kathy Randeree said that the hospital recently undertook a mini-survey to determine how best to assist patients who are accessing health services in Gauteng Hospitals. She said that the survey recommended the launch of the project with management resolving to have a pool of escorts for Klerksdorp/ Tshepong hospital so that referred patients are able to have the assistance of an allocated escort for the various hospitals and clinics in Gauteng. "The hospital complex has over the years been proactively increasing the number of tertiary services offered with an intention of limiting the number of referrals to Gauteng Hospitals. "However, there are still certain specialised services which necessitate some patients to travel to outside hospitals to access such tertiary services," Ms Randeree explained. The hospital recruited about 14 enrolled nursing assistants who have been trained and oriented to accompany patients to outside hospitals. The escorts ensure that protocols are being adhered to when patients are referred to other hospitals. "We are happy to announce that all referral patients to Gauteng will receive quality patient care like individualised stretcher patients and ambulance patients, which will be assisted by a porter," Ms Randeree said. Furthermore, through the project, patients also receive pain management which is administered before going to outside hospitals. "Patients are no longer vulnerable in hospitals, more especially in Baragwanath which is currently under reconstruction. "Patients are seen in Gauteng specialists clinics and may not have to queue for medication and if need be, arrangements are made to get their medication in Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospital complex," she said. The arrangements to get medication in Klerksdorp Hospital helps to reduce waiting times at the hospitals and patients are able to return home earlier than before. This is indeed a stride to quality patient care the staff members and management of the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex are continuously working towards to improve on the patients' expectations, Ms Randeree said.