Families with seriously ill children will benefit from staying closer to care and treatment, with new onsite accommodation by Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney open at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Located on Level 9 of the new 14-storey Paediatric Services Building, the accommodation is close to the cardiac and critical care inpatient units, ensuring families can stay together during some of the most challenging times.
Complementing the NSW Government’s $659.1 million Stage 2 Redevelopment of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, the Family Accommodation will ensure children and families have greater access to world-class healthcare in a modern, purpose-built environment.
The new accommodation provides:
- Overnight accommodation for up to ten families
- Kitchen facilities for preparing meals, as well as grab and go meals for families
- Communal spaces including a living room, dining area, and outdoor terrace
- Laundry amenities
- Wrap-around support services including counselling and mental health support
Delivered in partnership with the NSW Government to support children and families, Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney received funding contributions of $750,000, including $250,000 from NSW Health, matched by the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, and a further $250,000 through the NSW Community Infrastructure Grants program.
The accommodation is being delivered as part of a broader investment from the Minns Government in Western Sydney hospitals, including Rouse Hill Hospital, the new Bankstown Hospital, Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“For families travelling from regional, rural and remote communities, we know that having a safe and comfortable place to stay can make an enormous difference while they’re accessing treatment.
“This new accommodation not only reduces the burden of travel and accommodation costs, but is a home away from home for families experiencing an already challenging time.
“The Coalition devastated our health system with less hospitals, less beds and less staff, we’re delivering health facilities that will have a lasting impact on children and families across NSW.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis:
“When a child is seriously ill, families should be able to focus on supporting their child, not worrying about where they will stay during treatment.
“Delivering great healthcare is not only about clinical facilities, but also about supporting the families who are central to a child’s recovery.”
Quotes attributable to Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney, CEO, Claire Barber:
“Keeping families close to their child while they receive hospital care is not a nice-to-have, it is a critical part of healthcare that contributes to better outcomes for children and their families.
“The new Ronald McDonald House Family Accommodation will provide vital support, comfort and stability for more families with seriously ill children.
“We’re grateful to have partnered with the NSW Government and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation to bring this important facility to life.”
Quotes attributable to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Chief Executive, Cathryn Cox:
“The Ronald McDonald House Family Accommodation does far more than bring families closer to clinical care. It helps keep families together when they need each other most.
“Keeping parents, siblings, and loved ones close is an important part of a child’s wellbeing, care and treatment.
“By providing a welcoming place to stay in the hospital, we can reduce some of the pressure and impact that children, young people and their families experience because of hospitalisation. It creates further opportunity to strengthen patient-centred and family-centred care that is at the heart of everything we do.”
Quotes attributable to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, CEO, Kristina Keneally:
“The Ronald McDonald House Family Accommodation is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when government, philanthropy and the not-for-profit sector come together around a shared goal to make life better for children and families.
“We’re proud to partner with the NSW Government and Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney to create a welcoming place where families can stay connected, supported and focused on what matters most – their child’s care and recovery.
“When a child is in hospital, having family close by can make an enormous difference, not only for the child, but for parents, siblings and carers navigating an incredibly difficult time.”
