Minister unveils plans for Ronald McDonald Family Room
The Hon Daniel Andrews, Victorian Minister for Health, today visited Southern Health’s Monash Children’s to unveil the plans for a new Ronald McDonald House family room to be built at Monash Children’s Clayton later this year.
The State Government contributed $250,000 towards the cost of the facility in the May State Budget.Situated on level 4 next to the existing children’s playground, the new family area will provide families and carers with kitchen, shower, laundry, library and lounge facilities as well as an area to relax or have a nap.
The family room will be open for all families and carers of children who are under the care of Monash Children’s, including Monash Newborn, cancer patients, intensive care, emergency and the general paediatric wards.
Ms Shelly Park, Chief Executive, Southern Health said: “This new Family Room will be a wonderful addition to the Monash Children’s facilities and is very much in line with our mission of providing a holistic model of care to patients, families and carers.
“We know that children respond much better to treatment when their families are close by and this facility will make it easier for them to do that.”
Ms Park said that over 24,000 children were admitted to Monash last year for treatment.
An initiative of Ronald McDonald House Monash (RMHM) in partnership with Southern Health, the retreat will be known as the Ronald McDonald Family Room. It will be entirely funded, managed and staffed by RMHM.
Ms Jennifer North, Executive Officer at Ronald McDonald House Monash, said that the new Family Room would provide much needed respite for the families and carers of seriously ill children who are staying at the hospital.
Ms North said that the contractor for the project would be selected this month. Building will begin in September and completion is scheduled by the end of the year.
Ms North also launched a Public Capital Fund Appeal for the remaining $190,000 needed for the new retreat.
“We have already raised $560,000 for this project through the generosity of the government, a number of philanthropic trusts, charities and businesses. We are now hoping that the community will join us in helping to raise the remainder of the project funds.”