Our Christchurch House

Ronald McDonald House Christchurch

Ronald McDonald House South Island provides a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families who must travel to Christchurch for their child’s medical treatment.
Staying at Ronald McDonald House South Island’s Christchurch House
Families come to Ronald McDonald House South Island’s Christchurch House from across New Zealand.

Our 26-bedroom House is a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families to retreat to after a long day on the ward. We’ve created an environment that is truly welcoming and provides respite from the hospital. Warm rooms, fully stocked kitchens and areas to be a family make our facilities feel just like home.

Our Family Dinner Programme has groups cooking dinner almost every night of the week, ensuring families get a good home-cooked meal at the end of each day. We also have fully stocked kitchens should families want to cook their own meals.

Ronald McDonald House South Island is based a few minutes’ walk from Christchurch Hospital. Our staff are here to assist you throughout your stay, they’ll help you to find your way around, explain how the House works and put you in touch with the appropriate support networks if required.
FAQs at Ronald McDonald House Christchurch
Who can stay?

Ronald McDonald House South Island in Christchurch provides support to families of patients up to and including the age of 18 seeking medical treatment at any Christchurch Hospital.

Any family who lives 100 kms away and needs to travel so their child can receive treatment in Christchurch is eligible to stay.

This can include, but is not limited to:

  • Families of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Pregnant women, and their families, experiencing high-risk pregnancies
  • Families of children receiving mental health treatment
  • Families of children receiving oncology (cancer) treatment
  • Families of children with serious injuries
  • Families of children undergoing surgery
How do we book in?
  • Your Patient Travel Administrator or Social Worker will generally arrange your first visit, but subsequent visits may be booked directly At the House in Christchurch or At the Family Room in Invercargill. Please note, completion of this form does not guarantee your booking. All requests for accommodation will be confirmed subject to availability.
Are we allowed visitors?

Visitors are welcome in the House from 9am to 9pm each night, all visitors will be asked to sign-in on arrival.

We ask that visitors remain in the communal space and do not enter the guest bedrooms All guests and their visitors must be infection free.  As many of the children staying in the House are seriously ill and undergoing treatment, guests who have been in contact or diagnosed with chicken pox or shingles, or who have had an episode of vomiting, diarrhea or flu-like symptoms in the last 48 hours will not be allowed to enter our facilities.

COVID-19 Precautions 

If you, someone in your family or someone you have been in contact with has been tested for Covid-19 in the past 14-days or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health official that you should self-quarantine due to potential Covid-19 exposure, or that you are suspected of having Covid-19, you will not be allowed entry to the Christchurch House.

What are the House amenities?

Ronald McDonald House South Island provide families with:

  • Fully equipped communal kitchens with pantry, refrigerator and freezer food items
  • Ensuite bedrooms
  • Bed and bath linen
  • Laundry facilities
  • Wi-Fi
  • Quite Adult’s Lounge
  • Teenager’s Activity Room
  • Children’s Art Room
  • Co-working space
  • Car parking
  • Disability access
  • Indoor and outdoor play areas
  • Prams, port-a-cots, bassinets , children’s car seats
How can we keep in touch with friends and family?

Every room in the House has a phone. Your friends and family can call you directly on this. Your phone extension will be given to you on arrival.

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

c/- Ronald McDonald House Christchurch
33 Cashel Street
Christchurch, 8013

What do I need to bring?

You will only need to bring your personal items such as toiletries, clothing, communication devices etc.

Our Family Dinner Programme runs most evenings with members of the community preparing a meal and dessert for families staying at the Christchurch House. We have fully stocked freezers and pantries which you are welcome to.

For any additional food requirements, there is a New World Supermarket at South City Mall on Colombo Street, just a 2-minute drive away, or Fresh Choice on Lichfield Street, a 9-minute walk from the Christchurch House.

Is there disability access?
Yes, shared areas in the House are fully accessible. A number of bedrooms are also fully accessible at the House, including purpose designed wet floor showers. Please inform us at the time of your booking if you require an accessible bedroom.
Contact Us
Ronald McDonald House South Island provides accommodation for families who must travel to Christchurch and Invercargill for their child’s medical treatment.

For more information see www.rmhsi.org.nz
Reception Opening Hours
9am – 5pm
Physical Address
Ronald McDonald House South Island
33 Cashel St
Christchurch, 8013
Postal Address
Ronald McDonald House South Island
PO Box 1463
Christchurch, 8140
Phone
03 377 3311

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