Following the latest guidelines from the government, RMHC New Zealand is taking a number of measures to ensure the safety of House families, staff, and volunteers. Guided by the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with our partnering District Health Boards, we have introduced a series of actions that will ensure we can safely continue to provide accommodation and care for families with a child undergoing medical treatment.
The following measures and restrictions are now in place:
- From Monday 25th May, we have been able to welcome new families to stay at our Ronald McDonald Houses, rather than providing them with off-site hotel accommodation.
- To ensure families are able to maintain social distancing, we are capping occupancy of our Houses at 70% – this means that while most families will be able to stay in one of our Houses, we will have to continue to pay for off-site hotel accommodation to ensure every family who needs support has access to free accommodation and support near their child’s hospital.
- Hospitals are working to catch up on the backlog created during the lockdown period. This means we expect there to be an increased number of families needing to stay with us over the coming weeks and months.
- The Ronald McDonald Family Room® programme day lounges are closed to all ward families and visitors. Families who were previously staying in the Family Rooms have now been accommodated either at the Houses or at off-site, self-contained accommodation close to the hospitals.
Screening of all families, staff, and volunteers prior to entering our Houses
All families, volunteers, and staff will be screened prior to entering a facility to minimise the chance of inadvertently spreading the virus. Other than those requiring isolation, families that have a heightened risk will be found alternative accommodation close to the hospital, for their safety and the wider RMHC New Zealand whānau.
Suspension of all non-core volunteering activity
We are suspending all group volunteering activities for the time being including our Cook Night dinner program. Bookings will resume once it is safe to do so.
Supporting the families
At an already stressful time for families, the risk from COVID-19 adds a new anxiety. They need our support more than ever. If you are able to help support families you can:
Our team would be grateful for donations of non-perishable food items (although, please leave these outside the front door) but we are unable to receive second-hand clothes or toys right now.
We will keep posting updates here as the situation changes. You can also check out our latest FAQs.
RMHC New Zealand COVID-19: Media Alerts
Helpful Links: