Staying with Us
Our House gives seriously ill children the best gift of all – their families. Our warm and supportive home-away-from-home provides the whole family with a comfortable place to stay and peace of mind, knowing they can stay together and close to their child at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Over 840 families a year stay with us. Our comfortable family bedrooms and self-contained units provide a homely experience to families when they need it most, while our common areas allow for shared journeys and unwavering support.
Our House is more than just a place to stay.
In addition to 27 family bedrooms, the House offers first-class facilities that have been thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of families. We offer families a private bedroom along with shared common spaces that includes a kitchen, dining room, family lounge, games room, library, laundry facilities and much more.
Admission Requirements
We are currently only accepting referrals from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. Please contact the hospital to discuss qualifying criteria and next steps for your referral. If you have any questions, please contact Zola at RMHC South Africa on +27 11 025 8706.
Families who stay at Our House
Live a minimum distance of 60 km away from the House.
Are parents/legal guardians of a child, 18 years of age or younger, receiving medical treatment for a life-threatening or serious illness at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH).
Have a referral from Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and complete an application form.
Application Process
All applications come from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Once we have received your referral from the hospital, RMH will call the hospital to confirm space availability.
Pending availability, you will be sent upstairs to the Ronald McDonald House.
We cannot guarantee that a room will be available upon your arrival. However the family will remain on the wait list until a room becomes available. Should a room no longer be required, the hospital will inform RMHC.
Please note
Siblings and other family members may accompany the parents of the ill child. (Maximum of 2 Adults and 2 siblings per room). Parents under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian for the entire duration of their stay.
All adults and overnight guests must complete a health screening as part of the admissions process.
We offer one bedroom per family.
Anyone suffering from, or who has recently been exposed to, a communicable illness cannot be admitted. This includes family members with a cold or the flu. We stand by this policy to minimize risk to children with weakened immune systems.
Exclusions
Regrettably, because the demand for rooms is so high, we only accept referrals from Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Fees
While the actual cost to RMHC South Africa to accommodate one family is R850 per night, donations mean families are asked to contribute just R450 a night. A family is defined as up to two adults and their children. Payments are made to the Family Services staff at the House.
Wait list
Rooms cannot be booked in advance. If rooms are unavailable on the date you are approved to arrive, you will be placed on a wait list and RMH will liaise with Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital when a room becomes available.
Repeat visits
When a child is returning for continuing medical care for the same condition, a new referral needs to be made through the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.