15 Apr Government supports the critical need for expansion

As the demand for maternity, child and adolescent health care at both Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital increases so does the number of West Australian families who will find themselves needing to relocate to Perth, for days, weeks, months and at times years to access medical treatment.

Ronald McDonald House Charities WA plays a unique and important role in enabling and facilitating family-centered care. The globally recognised model places the highest value on health care in the needs of a patient and their family. By providing services that keep families connected, close to vital medical care and alleviate the emotional and financial pressures that come when a child is ill or injured, RMHC WA enables families to focus on what really matters – their child’s health.

RMHC WA’s 2022 Annual Impact Report highlighted the emotional and financial burden that families experience when having to travel far from home and loved ones when a child is ill or injured.

The report found that 83% of parents and carers felt their family’s emotional and financial wellbeing would become very poor and stressful if they were unable to access RMHC WA supported accommodation*.

Despite supporting thousands of families each year, currently, we have an average of 38 families waitlisted each month for access to supported accommodation across Ronald McDonald House at QEII, Ronald McDonald House in PCH and the newly opened temporary Ronald McDonald House on Park.

The recent announcement of a $2.5 million investment for developing a business case to expand our services by Premier Roger Cook and Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson comes at a critical time for West Australian families with ill or injured children.

The business case will outline the crucial need for government funding to expand the Ronald McDonald House at QEII from 47 rooms to 147 rooms. By more than tripling our current capacity, we will not only be able to support the growing number of families in need of short, long or indefinite accommodation close to Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital, but we will also be supporting the emotional and financial wellbeing of families at a time when they need it most.

Learn more about the State Government’s continued support of Ronald House Charities WA:

Photo: The Premier, Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA Family Ayla-Jade and Rosie, and Health Minster, Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA (L-R)

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