Ronald McDonald
House of
Southwestern Ontario

 

What is the House like?

'Home-away-from-home' is not just a catch phrase but an accurate description of just how warm and inviting the House can be. It has earned that reputation due to its comfortable and attractive surroundings.

Each guest bedroom provides accommodation for up to five people. Rooms are tastefully furnished, each with full en-suite private bathroom.

In-room amenities include:

- televisions
- telephones with voice-mail
- hair dryers
- toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion and shower gel)

There is ample space throughout the House for families to feel at home in, with two fully-equipped kitchens, dining, laundry and living areas for shared use. Our modern kitchens have everything needed for families to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their kids. Coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks and a variety of non-perishable and perishable foods are normally available.

Computers with internet access are on hand to help guests and/or their sick child stay in touch with family and friends during their stay. The entire House is accessible to those using wheelchairs or with mobility challenges thanks to our new elevator.

Playrooms, a library, and an outdoor yard complete with patio furniture, play equipment, beautiful landscaping and a barbeque are a few more of the amenities that can be expected at the House. Limited free parking (one vehicle per family) is available on site to our guests.

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What can guests expect during their stay?

The first priority is to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests staying in the House. It is asked that everyone does their part to respect their fellow guests as well the volunteers and staff by following the House Policies and Procedures.

Kitchen and Food Services: Two fully equipped kitchens are available where families can choose to prepare meals. Each family is provided with their own cupboard and refrigerator storage container to keep food they have brought from home or purchased during their stay. Two supermarkets are located within walking distance. Many staples such as spices, sugar, etc. are kept on hand in the House for guest use and there is also a cupboard of nonperishable items like soups, pasta and sauces, Kraft dinner, etc. that guest families can help themselves to. Coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks and baked goods are provided by generous suppliers and volunteers.  As a special treat, home cooked meals are also provided from time to time thanks to volunteer groups that come into the House to prepare dinner. This popular program, called 'Dinner at Our House', is offered almost every night of the week, but is not on a guaranteed schedule. The dinners are announced on our community cable channel with the date, time, menu and name of volunteer group responsible for 'Dinner at Our House' meal. This program is greatly appreciated by our guest families who look forward to coming home to a prepared meal after a long day at the hospital.

Telephones: All rooms have telephones with personal voice mail. From 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. all incoming calls are received through the House's reception office and then forwarded to the guest's bedroom. Should a guest not respond to the call, whenever possible an effort is made to locate the guest within the House prior to transferring the caller to voice mail. This helps to ensure guests don't miss important calls when they are in the kitchen, dining room or other areas of the House. With our new VOIP phone systems, long distance is free throughout North America from every phone in the House.

Linens: Bedrooms have freshly made beds and clean towels. Fresh linens can be requested during a lengthy stay. Bed linens and towels are laundered by the hospital linen service.

Play Areas,  Libraries, and Gathering Places: We have a playroom and a children’s library inside the house, as well as an outside play area and a special game room for teens.   The whole family can enjoy movie nights in our new media center and crafts or games in the multi-purpose activity room.  We also have an adult “borrowing” library and other quiet areas where our parents can find a few moments of peace.

Computers: There are four computers with high-speed internet access available for guests to use. This is a popular way for families and their sick kids to stay in touch with family and friends. There is also free wireless internet access throughout the House.

New Moms: Nursing mothers can make use of the new breast pumps and storage refrigerator located directly in their room.

Office Hours: The Reception, staffed by volunteers, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week. Guests are welcome to drop by the Reception or House Manager's office with their questions, concerns or requests and the caring staff and/or volunteers will do their best to assist them. Assistant House Managers are on duty overnight and on the weekends to provide guests with 24 hour awake staff in the House Management office.

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How does one apply to stay at the House?

First-time guests require a referral from hospital staff, the family physician, or a medically-affiliated agency to verify the application requirements. With a medical referral families residing outside the London area who have children, under the age of nineteen (19), receiving treatment from any of London's major health care centres are eligible to stay at Ronald McDonald House.  It is only $10 a night to stay at the House and no family is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.

The seriousness of the child's illness or injury determines eligibility to stay at the House. In non-crisis situations, applications to stay at the House should be made as soon as medical treatment dates are scheduled. These applications can be made by parents, caregivers, social workers or medical staff simply by contacting the House at 519-685-3232 or toll free at 1-877-848-8188. An 'Application for Accommodation' is completed where the specifics of the ill child's medical condition are recorded along with relevant details regarding the family such as contact address and telephone information. Space in the House is limited and in many cases it is not possible to predict either the length of a child's stay in hospital or the length of time guests will require their room. Because of this, room availability cannot be guaranteed at the time the application is taken. There is a commitment to contacting guests 24 hours prior to their scheduled date of arrival to confirm room availability as well as trying to make every effort to help secure temporary alternate accommodations when the House is at capacity.

In crisis situations, hospital personnel can be called upon to assist with the application process by calling the House for immediate availability. Families who have previously stayed at London's Ronald McDonald House can call directly to apply for accommodations.

 

What is the check-in process like?

The check-in hours are normally between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Exceptional circumstances can be discussed with the House Manager on duty to see if alternate arrangements can be made. The check-in process for first time families takes about forty minutes and includes reviewing the House policies and procedures as well as a tour of the facility.

 

What is the check-out process like?

Check-out time should be between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (whenever possible). In order to serve as many families as possible, it is important to know the number of rooms that will be available so guests are asked to tell staff when they will be leaving as soon as they know.

 

Where is the House located?

Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario is located just east of Wellington Road on Base Line Road. The House is located within easy walking distance of Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. Staff can provide transportation information and directions to guests whose children are receiving care at another medical facility in London.

 

Are visitors allowed?

Visitation of family and friends is important to the guests of Ronald McDonald House. There are however a few policies to adhere to for the comfort and safety of all guests and their children. Please limit the number of family and friends at one time. Visiting hours are between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Visitors need to sign in at reception and verify that they have not been exposed to any infectious diseases. They will be required to remain in the main floor common areas including the living room, dining room, kitchen and patio. To respect the privacy of all families staying at the House, it is respectfully requested that visitors do not tour the House or the family's bedroom.

 

Is there parking available?

There are a limited number of spaces for free guest parking in the House parking lot (located along Base Line Road). Unfortunately this must be limited to one car per family.

 

What are the House rules?

Just like at your own home, there are some policies and house rules that ensure the comfort and safety of all guests during their stay. These will be reviewed with the guest family upon check-in.

• The House Manager routinely reviews a family's length of stay after they have been in the House for two weeks. The length of stay has been set at a maximum of three months, but exceptional circumstances will be reviewed as necessary.
• One room is allotted per family. At least one of the adults using the room must be a parent or primary care-giver of the patient. These rooms are able to accommodate up to two adults and two children age 18 and under.
• The room rental fee is $10 per night.
• It is important that management knows at all times who is staying in the room. From time to time a family will want to have an overnight visitor in their room. Provided that this does not exceed the maximum room capacity, this can be arranged with approval from the House Manager. It is asked that whenever possible 24 hour advance notice be given.
• Guests may not go home and leave their room unoccupied overnight as there are usually families waiting for a room. Spouses who are not continuously residing in the House are requested to stop in at the reception office upon their arrival to review the infection control policy and to sign-in on the visitor sheet.
• Visitation of family and friends is important to the guests of Ronald McDonald House.
• There are however a few policies to adhere to for the comfort and safety of all guests and their children. Please limit the number of family and friends at one time. Visiting hours are between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
• Visitors need to sign in at Reception and verify that they have not been exposed to any infectious diseases. They will be required to remain in the main floor common areas including the living room, dining room, kitchen and patio. To respect the privacy of all families staying at the House, it is respectfully requested that visitors do not tour the House or the family's bedroom.
• Children under the age of 16 can not be left unsupervised in the House or on the grounds at any time.
• Guest families are asked to clean up after themselves (and their children) as well as help maintain the common areas while in the House. This helps to keep the costs of operating the House low in order to maintain affordability.
• Cleaning supplies are available in all guest rooms so guests can tidy up during their stay. Room supplies can easily be replenished during their stay by asking the volunteer on duty.
• There is no food or beverages allowed in the guest bedrooms. Guests are encouraged to eat and drink in the kitchen and dining room areas.
• Quiet hours are observed in bedroom areas between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and in the common areas between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• The House is a no-smoking facility and as such there is no smoking allowed anywhere inside the House. It is respectfully requested that there be compliance with this important policy. There are designated spaces on the hospital grounds in the gazebos where smoking is permitted. This is the only place on the property where one can smoke.
• There are no weapons, alcohol, or restricted substances permitted in the House or on the premises at any time. Sorry, no pets either.
• Guest families should check in between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
• Check-out time should be between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (whenever possible).
• Guest parking is provided in the House's parking lot (located along Base Line Road) and is limited to one car per family.

With everyone doing their part, Ronald McDonald House provides safe, comfortable and low cost accommodations for many families. It is recognized however that the House may not meet the needs and expectations of every family. Should a family be unable to comply with the House's policies and procedures as indicated, they may need to find alternate accommodations.