An entirely new $34 million Ronald McDonald House (RMH) facility opened on the grounds of the Westmead Children’s Hospital last week, that will increase occupancy from 18 families at a time to 60 and many of the extra families are expected to come from the region.

Ronald McDonald House CEO Barbara Ryan said 400 families had to be turned away last year because RMH Westmead was full but said this year they will avoid that problem.

“It’s devastating to have to turn families away and that was the catalyst for us approaching the hospital and the government to ask for land to build the new Ronald McDonald House,” Ms Ryan said.

“Rather than parents having to sleep beside a hospital bed or getting accommodation away from the hospital, they can stay on the grounds with support they need.

“It’s a tremendous achievement the charity has been able to raise the money to make this happen but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community.”

Twenty-two families from Dubbo stayed an average of seven nights at the Westmead facility in 2017, while 16 families from Orange stayed for an average of five nights.

In total 65 families stayed for 657 nights.

“We have our eight-room facility at Orange but the families who travel down to Westmead often have children with more critical health needs,” Ms Ryan said.

“When they have to come to Sydney not only are they away from their own homes in an unfamiliar area, but they are also without their local support network.

“Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation but also the essential care and support that people need.

“We call it a home away from home but really it’s a family away from home, with staff and volunteers available 24 hours a day.”

The new house includes four indoor and outdoor play areas, a learning centre where children can stay up-to-date with their schooling, a health and fitness centre and a dining room that accommodates up to 250 people.