Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand chief executive officer Wayne Howett yesterday announced a Ronald McDonald House would be built in the former Cook Brothers Construction premises in Anzac Ave to keep families together while their children were receiving long-stay treatment at the hospital.
Mr Howett said the property would become charity property from December and staff were working with the hospital to determine how much demand there was for family accommodation.
At the moment, he was looking at building a 10-20-room facility.
He said it was not yet known if the project would involve a refurbishment of the existing building, or demolition to make way for a new building.
"There are some structural issues that we’re already aware of, that we need to take into consideration.
"It’s all going to come down to the scope and the needs assessment for what’s required in this facility."
"It will be a multimillion-dollar amount — without question."
He said a start date for the development had not been decided.
"There’s a few hoops that we have to jump through from a New Zealand level as well as a global licence level.
"I expect some time early next year, we will be able to give a timeline of exactly what we’re doing, when we’re doing it, how long we think it will take, and what it’s going to cost."
HNZ Southern has previously strongly resisted any attempt to build a Ronald McDonald House on the new Dunedin hospital site, arguing the connection to the fast-food giant was contrary to its public health function.
It even rejected a 12,000-signature petition which called on the board to rethink that stance.
"One, I think that people understand that what we’re trying to do is good for the community, not just the Dunedin community, but the wider community.
"And I know for sure, every time I talk to clinicians, they want a Ronald McDonald House," he said.
"I certainly know that the leadership team that are with this hospital are fantastic.
"They’re absolutely delighted about this."
HNZ Southern hospital and specialist services interim lead Hamish Brown said the board welcomed the announcement.
"It will be fantastic to see a facility which provides support for our young patients and their whānau."
