We are very grateful for the support that has been shown to refurbish three of the family units in the Women’s Family Accommodation Service because we know how important these units are for the families who come to Melbourne looking for affordable, long-term accommodation near the Women’s.
You can watch the video to see the transformation.
The Women’s provides treatment and care to 200,000 women each year. About 1200 of come to us from interstate and about 12,000 each year come here from rural and regional Victoria.
The Women’s looks after the highest number of newborns requiring intensive care in Victoria, meaning about 1500 very sick babies come to us each year and each of those babies has a family that wants to be close to them .
Last year 219 partners and families stayed for a total of nearly 3000 nights in our Accommodation Service. So far this year, 137 partners and families have stayed 2086 nights in our accommodation.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s, Dr Sue Matthews, said when you put all those numbers together, you can get a sense of the very large number of people who are spending a long time away from home, and away from family and friends.
“It’s really not hard to see why affordable accommodation that allows family members to stay together, close to the hospital, is so critically important,” Dr Matthews said.
The Family Accommodation Service is a safe haven for families undergoing enormous stress, and now some lucky families will be able to stay in three beautifully refurbished apartments because of the generous contributions of some amazing supporters of the Women’s.
In particular:
- IKEA Richmond
- Hafele Australia
- Habitat Group, suppliers for Middy’s, Mercator Lighting & Omega
- Masters Home Improvement, with a special thanks to Effie Pensa the Community Engagement coordinator for this project. Masters Home Improvement has also arranged for donation incubators to be placed in its stores for ongoing donations for the Family Accommodation Service
- Pipers International
- Dulux Australia
- FJB Shopfitters and Sons
- And Chisholm Institute, with a very special thanks to Adrian Lea who sourced and coordinated building, cabinetry, electrical & plumbing students from three separate campuses.
Thanks also to Karalene Habib, the Manager of our Family Accommodation Service, and Sue Morisset, the Foundation Manager at the Women’s, both of whom spent countless hours above and beyond their normal working hours to make this project happen.
Dr Matthews said that all the supporters should have a great sense of pride because their contributions would make a huge difference to a large number of people as they face probably what will be the most difficult times in their lives.
“Thank you on behalf of the Royal Women’s Hospital and thank you on behalf of our patients and their families.”