Ronald McDonald House Glasgow and how we provide accommodation for families
We provide cost-free ‘home away from home’ accommodation giving families a base allowing them to live as normal a family life as possible through emotionally difficult times.
Accommodation referral process
When families require accommodation, we receive referrals from the hospital on the day a child is admitted, we do not take direct bookings from a family or hospital referrals ahead of admission. All referrals come to us from the hospital so please speak to the Nursing Staff/Ward Clerk on the day you are due to arrive/on arrival at the hospital.
When we gift a family accommodation it is theirs until their child is discharged from hospital. You’ll understand that a discharge date can change with little notice and a child may not leave when originally planned. This is why we don’t accept bookings in advance as we can’t be sure we will have an available room until the day of a family’s departure.
We are open and accept referrals every day of the week so if the first referral was unsuccessful, the Nursing staff/Ward clerk should refer again the following day.
On being offered a room, we will give you a check-in time to attend the House along with an email with our online check in form (or you can fill this out on arrival) and Your Nursing Staff/Ward Clerk will give you our ‘Welcome postcard’ with some more information on the House. On arrival they’ll be welcomed by a member of the House staff and asked to complete a Registration and Occupancy Agreement Form. We will take time to sit them down, introduce ourselves and go through the settling-in process including; confirming their details, House protocols and Health & Safety requirements. This will be followed by a tour of the facilities, and they’ll be shown their bedroom and given a set of keys.
We ask for a £25 room deposit at check-in, which is refundable on leaving the House, provided the room has been left in a satisfactory condition and no charges have been incurred. Many families who stay with us choose to donate their deposit to the Charity helping us to support future families.
Families can stay as long as required while their child is receiving treatment in any West of Scotland Hospitals.
While staying at the House families will be responsible for keeping their en-suite bedroom and any communal areas used clean and tidy.
Facilities we provide at the House
All bedrooms have phones (at no cost to the families) directly linked to the relevant ward, enabling parents to be in constant contact with the hospital. The en-suite rooms can accommodate up to four people (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children). Each room consists of 2 single beds with the option for additional fold-down beds/travel cots. Rooms are also equipped with homely comforts including; a TV, toiletries, tea/coffee making facilities, bedding, towels and basic cleaning items to make a stay as comfortable as possible.
Our large open plan kitchen/diner has the facilities they will need to prepare meals. With their own secure areas in the fridge/freezers and a lockable dry food cupboard containing crockery, glassware, cutlery, pots and pans for their personal use. The kitchen is open 23 hours a day (closed between 11am to 12 noon for a deep clean). The children have an interactive soft play area to keep them busy, with low walls surrounding the area so they can easily be kept in sight.
We have free wifi throughout the House, there is a library with many books (including children’s) and up-to-date video conferencing facilities to enable families to keep in touch with their loved ones. The library is often used for home schooling and as office space. There are two lounges (on the ground and first floor) with comfy sofas, tea/coffee-making facilities, board games, television and DVDs – where they can relax and spend time together.
If the sun is shining, they can always take some time in our garden. Our private garden provides a large open space with seating and planted areas to enjoy.
Reception Hours
At the House we have a dedicated team of staff who are here to help. Our reception is staffed from 7am until 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Out with these times, reception is staffed by security.
Time to Leave Us…
When it is time to leave, we ask the families to advise a member of staff at reception. Staff will remind families of the ‘Time To Go Home’ Checklist on the back of each bedroom door. This list consists of tasks we ask each family to do before leaving; hoovering the room, stripping beds, a general tidy up and taking out any rubbish. By doing this, families will give our House Keepers a helping hand to ensure we can turn the room around as quickly as possible for another family in need.
Where to Find Us…
