"A house in Dunedin is our top priority and we are in a position now to start talking to the district health board about what that might look like,’’ the charity’s chief executive, Wayne Howett, said yesterday.
"Assuming that goes well, we will start the full process of making that a reality in Dunedin.’’
The charity had earmarked funds for the project, which was likely to cost $10million to $20million, depending on land costs and what facilities were offered, he said.
Although it was too early to say what scope the project would have, a previous national needs assessment suggested it would likely have room for 10 to 12 families .
"It will probably be off [the new Dunedin Hospital] campus, which is fine,’’ Mr Howett said.
"The most important thing is to be as close to the future children’s unit as we can and we have yet to have those discussions with the DHB ... but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge yet.’’
The Southern District Health Board has previously strongly resisted any attempt to build a Ronald McDonald House, arguing the connection to the fast-food giant was contrary to its public health function.
In 2017 it rejected a 12,000-signature petition which called on the board to rethink that stance.
SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said he met a trust representative a month ago.
"SDHB is committed to developing some form of whanau accommodation in association with the new Dunedin Hospital.
"I talked to him about the opportunity to work with us and that ideally we wanted an integrated solution, because the need for accommodation is wider than just the cohort that Ronald McDonald House supports.’’
The SDHB was still looking at all options. However, if the house was built immediately it could not be on the new hospital campus, Mr Fleming said.
"We are still considering are there options for a wider integrated option on-site.’’
