Ronald McDonald Houses Auckland

• Families of children (under 18) are referred to us through their doctor, district health board or social worker.
• Your patient travel administrator or social worker will arrange your first visit, and subsequent visits can be arranged with the House directly.
• A family is best described as primary caregivers (parents, step parents, grandparents and foster parents) of patients, and their siblings (brothers or sisters or half brothers and sisters).
• If a child other than those we’ve described usually lives with you as a permanent member of the household we may (depending on occupancy at the time) be able to accommodate them with you. Please ask if you need our help with this.
• Our rooms can accommodate a maximum of 5 people, 1 room per family
• You can stay with us for the entire duration that your child is receiving treatment at the National Children’s Hospital.

• To ensure you’re eligible for travel and accommodation financial support, you must be registered with the Ministry of Health.
• You need your registration number before leaving or your travel and accommodation will not be funded – if it hasn’t arrived before you leave home, please contact your local district health board.
• If there is time, please call us on 09 365 8300 to confirm your booking 24 hours before you are due to arrive.

• Check in and orientation is at Ronald McDonald House Auckland from 8:30am until 9pm daily
• Our family support staff will advise you where you will be accommodated on arrival.
• If you arrive in the morning, your room may not be immediately available, however, we can still check you in and orientate you. We’ll store your luggage until your room has been cleared and thoroughly cleaned.
• Everybody who is booked into the House, Family Room or one of the nearby motels will be asked to sign an agreement confirming they understand the level of behaviour we expect so that everyone can have a comfortable stay.
• Please also check your pre-arrival letter for additional instructions for everything we go through here.

• Visitors are welcome in the House from 10am until 8.30pm each night.
• All visitors will be asked to sign in on arrival.
• Please ensure your visitors are:
  • Aware many of the children staying in the House are seriously ill and undergoing treatment.
  • Guests must also be made aware of House Rules, particularly those relating to smoking, alcohol and banned substances.
• Large groups of visitors can feel intimidating to other House families if they dominate shared spaces, so please be sensitive to others’ needs.
• Unfortunately we cannot accommodate visitors for family dinner nights as this makes it difficult for our volunteers to cater accurately.

Between our two facilities we provide House families with a whole host of amenities including:

• Four kitchens stocked with necessities
• Onsite laundry for families from 8am-10pm
• A library
• An on-site school for children in years 1-8
• TV lounges
• Expressing Room for NICU mums
• Fitness centre
• Business centre for parents
• Free Wifi
• Children outdoor play areas
• A range of programmes for our families to enjoy including: art classes, dinner and children’s yoga/massage

Every room in the House has a phone. Your friends and family can call you directly on this by dialing 09 365 8300 then your extension number. Your phone extension is the same as your room number. You can make local calls from your room by dialing 1 for an outside line.

Please ask your family and friends to send mail for your attention to:

c/- Ronald McDonald House Auckland
PO Box 110119
Auckland Hospital
Auckland, 1148

• Our mission is to offer a comfortable space while you are in Auckland away from your home, during the period your child is receiving treatment at the National Children’s Hospital.
• If your diagnosis is known and you haven’t already been in contact with the relevant support group for your child’s condition, let us know and we will introduce you and/or give you the contact details you need.
• Each ward within the National Children’s Hospital has a social worker. If you wish to see a chaplain while you are here, ask our family support staff to contact your choice of faith.
• We also provide families with emergency supplies e.g. food items and nappies

• Pack enough clothes and personal items for an extended stay if you are unsure how long you are going to be here. In the House we have a laundry for your use.
• You do not need to bring any linen or towels as we provide these for you.
• You will need to provide food for your family’s needs while here so it is a good idea to bring a bag of staple food items.
• Once you are here there are supermarkets nearby you can visit for a shopping trip if required.
• Each week at least two family dinners are provided by our supporters.
• Bread, milk, dairy products, tea, coffee and cereal are available to all families.
• Personal items – toiletries, books etc.
• Pushchairs, car seats and porta cots are available to loan.
• Medical equipment your child may need.

We have 20 bedrooms that are specifically designed for wheelchairs. If you need a room to accommodate a wheelchair, please let us know in advance so we can book one for you.

We offer car parking (one car park per family) at no cost for those staying at the House.