- Ronald McDonald House to significantly expand with help from Cook Government
- Supporting unwell Western Australian children and their families to access medical care
- $2.5 million for business case to triple capacity of Ronald McDonald House at QEII
- $1.2 million Lotterywest grant supports fit-out of new Ronald McDonald on Park
The Cook Labor Government continues to invest in Ronald McDonald House to support the further expansion of the 'home away from home' for regional families of children needing medical care in Perth.
A business case for an extension and upgrade of Ronald McDonald House Charities' premises at the QEII Medical Centre (QEII) has been backed by the State Government through a $2.5 million investment in the 2024-25 State Budget.
The business case will consider expanding Ronald McDonald House at QEII by 100 rooms to boost its capacity to assist sick Western Australian children and their families.
Additionally, a $1.2 million Lotterywest grant was today presented to the charity by Premier Roger Cook and Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to support the fit-out the new Ronald McDonald House on Park at St Catherine's College in Nedlands, which will partially open to families from Monday, 15 April 2024.
The Lotterywest grant is on top of the $9.6 million contribution announced by the Cook Government in February 2023 to significantly expand guest rooms through the creation of Ronald McDonald House on Park and additional rooms at Perth Children's Hospital (PCH).
From tomorrow, Ronald McDonald will operate three facilities in Perth:
- Ronald McDonald House at PCH, which has been expanded by 14 rooms;
- Ronald McDonald House at QEII, with the business case to consider tripling the size of this premises from 47 rooms to 147 rooms; and
- Ronald McDonald House on Park, located at St Catherine's College in Nedlands, which will progressively increase capacity by 50 rooms.
Ronald McDonald House helps more than 2,000 Western Australian families a year, providing no-cost accommodation for eligible families of children who suffer from serious illnesses that require extended medical treatment at the nearby Perth Children's Hospital or King Edward Memorial Hospital.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Ronald McDonald House truly is a home away from home for regional families whose children need treatment at Perth Children's Hospital.
"They do a fantastic job looking after West Australians in their time of need, and my Government is proud to support the significant expansion of the service.
"The new Ronald McDonald on Park will be open to its first families tomorrow, with further rooms to progressively come online throughout the year."
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The last thing regional families need when coming to Perth so their child can receive medical treatment is to have to worry about finding accommodation, and that's why we're helping expand Ronald McDonald House.
"We understand how difficult it is when your child is seriously unwell, and we are committed to doing anything we can to support families when they need it the most.
"I'd like to thank Ronald McDonald House Charities for their continued dedication to Western Australian kids - these fantastic new facilities will mean the world to WA families."
Comments attributed to Ronald McDonald House Charities WA CEO Peter King:
"With more families needing our essential services, the opening of Ronald McDonald House on Park comes at a crucial time.
"This critical funding from the State Government, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and Lotterywest will enable us to move Western Australian families with ill or injured children from our waitlist and into supported accommodation close to the medical care they need.
"At no cost, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA provides - 24/7, 365 days a year - supported accommodation, educational services that keep children connected to their education and opportunities for family respite."
