Ronald McDonald House Wellington

Ronald McDonald House Wellington provides a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families so they can remain close to their hospitalised children.

Staying at Ronald McDonald House® Wellington

Families come to our Wellington House from across New Zealand. Our House is a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families, providing a safe haven to retreat to after a long day on the hospital ward. From stocked kitchens to comfy lounges, we understand how important it is for families to escape the clinical world of medicine, and take comfort in the familiarity and routine of a home-like environment.

The House is based just across the road from Wellington Hospital. Our staff are there to assist you throughout your stay, they’ll help you find your way around, explain how the House works and if needed, put you in touch with the appropriate support network.

FAQs at Ronald McDonald House Wellington

Who can stay?

Ronald McDonald House Charities^® New Zealand (RMHC^®), through its House and Family Room programs, provides accommodation and support services to families who must travel away from their home to receive specialist medical treatment, or who have a child in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), or other specialist paediatric High Dependency Unit (HDU). RMHC New Zealand enables family centred medical care by ensuring families can remain together, close by the partnering hospital.
Eligible families can stay with us when their child (under the age of 18) is required to attend a consultation as an outpatient, as well as when they are in-patients receiving treatment and/or surgery.
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 Wellington Hospital or local Wellington Hospitals.

How do we find out if we are eligible to stay?

Families of children (under the age of 18) are referred to us through their doctor, district health board or social worker.
In order to stay at Ronald McDonald House^® while your child (under the age of 18) is having treatment in Wellington, we would need to receive a referral (booking) for you from your District Health Board’s National Travel Assistance office.
If you are needing to travel away from home for your child’s treatment in Wellington, and your travel distance is more than 80km one way, you should be eligible for National Travel Assistance provided by the Ministry of Health.
National Travel Assistance covers the cost of your travel to Wellington and home again, as well as a subsidy for accommodation with us. (The balance of accommodation costs are generously donated by the supporters of Ronald McDonald House Charities^® New Zealand.)
Here’s a link to see the Ministry of Health eligibility criteria for National Travel Assistance.

How do we book in?

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 04 389 5505 to confirm your booking 24 hours before you are due to arrive.

How long can we stay?

Some families only stay one night, whilst others have stayed more than a year. Families are welcome at our Wellington House while their child is being treated at Wellington Hospital.

How much will it cost to stay?

Thankfully, due to our generous donors, there is no charge for families to stay at the House.

When can we check-in?

House families are welcome to check in to Ronald McDonald House Wellington from 11.00 am – 9.30 pm.

Are we allowed visitors?

Visitors are welcome in the House from 10.00am to 8.30pm each night. However we ask that families have no more than four visitors at a time to ensure the House does not get over crowded for other families staying with us.
Unfortunately we cannot cater for visitors at family dinner nights as this makes estimating catering numbers a challenge for our wonderful volunteers who donate their time and food.

Do you have child care facilities?

We welcome families bringing siblings and grandparents to stay at the House where possible, but we do not provide childcare services. Children under the age of 18 cannot stay in the House unattended.

What are the House amenities?

Within our facility, we provide House families with a whole host of amenities including:

Fully equipped family kitchen
Onsite laundry
Three lounges
Games room
Children’s art room
Computer and internet room
Expressing room for neonatal mums
Media room
Gymnasium
Pushchairs
Cots
Outdoor playground
Private outdoor area for relaxing, dining and BBQs
Parking – there are a limited number of car parks at the House. Further parking is available at Wellington Hospital for a small charge.

What is provided in the rooms?

Family bedrooms are set up to easily sleep 4 people, with the ability to sleep 5 people if required. Rooms are fully furnished with sheets and towels provided. Each room has its own ensuite bathroom and TV set with DVD player. We also have six completely self contained apartments for families with special requirements.

What meals are provided?

Some basic food necessities are available in the communal kitchen pantry for families, and dinner is cooked by volunteers twice a week.

What do we need to bring?

Whilst family dinner nights are provided twice a week at the House free of charge, you will also 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. For additional food requirements, there is a supermarket nearby.