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Local History

Our Western Australian Story

Western Australia is one of the most isolated health jurisdictions in the world. It can create mental health and well-being challenges for young WA patients and their families who need to access complex or critical healthcare in Perth for weeks, months and sometimes over years.

Far from home, jobs, schools and communities; the financial and emotional burden can adversely affect a family’s life, well-being and importantly, the patient experience and outcomes.

Ronald McDonald House Charities WA’s (RMHC WA) purpose is to keep patients and families together and resilient. To achieve this, RMHC WA’s supported accommodation, facilities and programs integrate with hospital infrastructure to optimise efficiencies, patient access and experience of healthcare – 24/7, 365 days a year.

Ronald McDonald House Charities’ family-centred care model is globally renowned for the quality and efficacy of its service. The model recognises family well-being as a critical foundation to short and longer-term outcomes for young patients beyond their hospital treatment.

RMHC WA opened the very first Ronald McDonald House in WA in 1990, in Subiaco. The establishment of this House and the Charity was pioneered by Glenn Baker OAM.

While our original House in Subiaco is no longer running, since then, we have opened an exceptional 47-bedroom House in Nedlands and a 14-bedroom House inside Perth Children’s Hospital. The opening of these new facilities ensures we are able to keep even more WA families close together during difficult times.

Photo of family in the Learning Centre at Ronald McDonald House Nedlands

Acknowledgement of Country

Ronald McDonald House Charities WA proudly cares for families on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land, the Noongar People and the Traditional Custodians, the Whadjuk People. We pay respects to the Elders past and present for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia.