Families from rural, regional and remote areas with sick children who are receiving care across the Sydney Children’s Hospital (SCH) Network will be thrilled to learn of a groundbreaking initiative that will provide FREE accommodation in Australia’s most expensive capital city.

SCH Foundation (SCHF) has partnered with Scape by the Living Company to launch the SCHF Patient Family Accommodation Program, which offers free access to 42 one and two-bedroom apartments at the new Lachlan Building in Kensington.

The program significantly expands accommodation options for families of sick children, and ensures families can stay close to their child without financial strain. It will also help ease the pressure on existing services, where demand often exceeds capacity, and where families face waitlists or the financial burden of private rentals or hotels, the foundation said in a statement.

Extended admissions can place considerable emotional and financial strain on families, underscoring the need for accommodation close to the hospital, the foundation stated.

The Kensington apartments are just minutes from the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and are designed with comfort and functionality in mind. They include access to workspaces, outdoor areas, laundry facilities, and a 24/7 concierge to ensure families are supported during difficult times.

A spokesperson for the SCHF told Dubbo Photo News that eligibility for the SCHF Patient Family Accommodation Program is assessed on a case-by-case basis and is subject to availability. Families, social workers, and healthcare teams can apply and families will be asked to provide proof that their child is receiving care from the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, with a primary focus on families at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.

“When demand for accommodation is high, priority may be given to families based on medical need, distance travelled, urgency of care, referral pathways, and access to alternative accommodation options,” the spokesperson added.

“Requests for multiple rooms or additional family accommodation needs will be considered on a case-by-case basis where possible.”

Kristina Keneally AO, CEO of SCHF, said the ongoing success of this initiative to enable families to stay close to their children will depend on the generosity of donors.

“While existing services like Ronald McDonald House provide tremendous support, demand for patient family accommodation for sick and injured kids continues to grow.

“The SCHF Patient Family Accommodation Program will reduce the financial and emotional pressures families face, allowing them to focus on what matters most – their child.

“The success of this initiative depends on the generosity of donors, who can help us ensure families stay close to their children at little to no cost,” she said.

The foundation is the exclusive fundraising partner of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Donations to support the SCHF Patient Family Accommodation Program are welcome from individuals, families, community organisations, clubs, corporations, trusts, other foundations, or through a gift in a will.

Further information about the free accommodation program can be found at www.schf.org.au/patient-family-accommodation.