Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What support does Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan offer?

Ronald McDonald House is located in Saskatoon at 1011 University Drive a short walk from the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital and the Royal University Hospital and the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic. Other facilities like Saskatoon City Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital and Kinsmen Children’s Center are only a short drive from the house. The House offers accommodations; food support and family centered care focused programing.

Ronald McDonald House Family Room is located in the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital the 3rd floor pediatric ward. The 1,300 square foot family room space is a place for families to escape the hospital setting and enjoy the comforts of home in a relaxing, peaceful and warm environment.

Q. What makes a family eligible to stay at the Ronald McDonald House?

Basic eligibility requirements are that the patient of the family must be a child that is 18 years of age or younger. The patient is either in, or coming to Saskatoon for medical treatment whether it be as an inpatient or outpatient. The family must live outside of Saskatoon.

Q. How do I request a room at the Ronald McDonald House?

Please call us at 306-244-5700 extension 123 and speak with a Family Service staff to make a room request. This request will place you on our waiting list for a room. Rooms may be requested in advance, but all families are responsible to call the day of arrival to confirm that a room is available. A medical referral is required for all stays , so a medical professional involved with your child’s care must call the House to submit a referral by phone.

Q. Is there a fee to stay at the Ronald McDonald House?

The suggested room contribution is $10/night. This will help us to cover the cost of operating the House and keeping it in good repair. However, no one will be turned away if they cannot make the suggested room contribution.

Q. Who may stay at Ronald McDonald House? Can other family members stay with a guest family?

Immediate family member of the patient are welcome to stay at the House. For our purposes, immediate family is mother, father, legal guardians, siblings and grandparents. Anyone staying at the House must be directly involved in the patients care or caring for siblings that may be staying at the House. Please talk to our staff if there are circumstances that may require an exception.

Q. How long can my family stay at the Ronald McDonald House?

There is no limit to how long a family can stay at the house as long as you have a sick child who is needing medical attention.

Q. How many people can stay in a room at the Ronald McDonald House?

We have rooms that will accommodate up to 3, 4 or 5 people.

Q. Can a family have more than one room at the Ronald McDonald House?

In our effort to serve and support as many families as possible, we can only provide one room per family.

Q. What do I need to bring with me?

For your convenience, the House has playpens, strollers, breast pumps, highchairs and computers accessible to all families. There are two fully equipped kitchens and utensils, dishes, pots and pans and various small appliances. Families have access to complimentary laundry, house pantry, television, living rooms, exercise room and play rooms. Most importantly, all families are supported in a warm, compassionate and inclusive environment

Q. Is food available at the Ronald McDonald House?

We provide complimentary breakfast 6 days a week. Our Home for Dinner program provides families a warm cooked meal 2-3 times a week. These meals are provided by the generous donations of the community. Check our house screen monitors and look for notices posted around the House for Home for Dinner nights.

Q. Can I go home and still keep my room?

We do ask that someone spends the night in the room, however, we allow you to go home for 2 days without checking out. If you will be gone longer than 48 hours you will need to check out so we can allow another family to use the room.

Q. How safe is it to stay at Ronald McDonald House? Is there a curfew at Ronald McDonald House?

We take the safety of our families very seriously. All adult guests are required to wear an armband that identifies them as a guest of the House. You will also receive a key to your room that allows you to come and go from the main entrances of the House. The House is locked 24/7, so the key is required to enter.
There is no curfew for families; however, visitors must leave the building by 9p.m. Our quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Q. Can I have visitors?

Yes, visitors are allowed during the day until 9 p.m. We have a log book that all visitors must sign-in. Visitors must follow the same polices as families during their visit.

Q. Can I smoke in my room?

No. Ronald McDonald House is a smoke and tobacco free facility. Cigarettes and e-cigarettes are not allowed. We do provide a smoking area outside the building.

Q. What types of programs does the House provide and do you have internet access?

Yes, we do have free internet access. We also have programs such as Home for Dinner, Breakfast program, Bingo and Games Night, Nail Night, Pet therapy and Kids Care program.