RMHC accomodation

With a one in two chance that your son or daughter will be hospitalised in their childhood, it’s important to be prepared. As we all fear the unknown, so coming to hospital can be scary for anyone, no matter how old or young you are. But it’s a particularly anxious time for children. It takes them away from their normal surroundings, including home, family, school, and friends, and may involve treatment that’s painful and hard to understand. It is also, of course, a frightening and stressful experience for parents.

As well as coping with the child’s illness, there’s the prospect of traveling far from home for treatment, and families can be apart for days, weeks or even months. Every year, more than one and a half million children are admitted to hospital – and it’s only recently that we have come to understand the emotional impact this experience has on parent and child.

Ronald McDonald House Charities is the leading charity provider of family accommodation at hospitals caring for children. Through Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, RMHC is able to provide a ‘home away from home’ for families with children receiving inpatient care in hospitals. RMHC is able to provide support to parents and ensure they have somewhere to stay that is close to the hospital and available without cost. This means there is one less thing for families to worry about and parents can just concentrate on their child’s care.

Parents who have used a Ronald McDonald House or Family Room appreciate the facilities provided to them. Not only that, but they like the finishing touches that make our Houses and Family Rooms a ‘home away from home’. There are private rooms so that families can have a space to sleep, to sit and read, to be quiet and to cry if they need to. Our families trust that the care they receive is the best that can be offered, and their needs will be met by a friendly face and a cup of tea.

What to do if your child is suddenly taken into Hospital