The Ronald McDonald House Charity could set up overnight accommodation for parents of sick children travelling to Belfast for specialist medical treatment, Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has said.The Department of Health at Stormont has now told Belfast Live it would support a proposal for such a facility in Northern Ireland "in principle", with Mr Durkan pointing to a site near the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast.
"For any parent, the prospect of their child being unwell or requiring a hospital stay is worrying in itself, yet many parents of children with long-term health conditions are under additional pressures. The hidden costs associated with travelling for appointments or overnight stays are pushing these families into financial distress and in many cases debt."
He added: “The department has also recommitted to a review of the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme to include parents of sick children as well as further amendments to support people on low incomes with the costs of healthcare. Unfortunately, that hard-won review has been hindered by the absence of Stormont.