Mental health problems affecting young people are the main reason families stay at Ronald McDonald House Orange [RMHO].
The house provides accommodation for families living more than 50 kilometres from Orange who have children being treated at hospitals in Orange.
RMHO executive officer Rebecca Walsh said families of children suffering mental health issues made up nearly half of the total number of nights [1083 out of 2390] people stayed and a third of all visits [143 out of 439] made to the house since it opened in 2015.
She said these stays were usually far longer than for other health problems.
One family spent 20 weeks at the RMHO while their child was cared for in hospital.
Families from Parkes have used the facility the most.
RMHO figures show 42 families made 65 visits [some families had to return for a second stay] for a total stay of 320 nights.
They were followed by families from Young who have stayed for 217 nights, Forbes 139 nights and Condobolin 109 nights.
– David Fitzsimons
Read more: Large Numbers staying at Ronald McDonald House due to child mental health problems
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