Western NSW’s expectant mothers are booking into Macquarie Home Stay which was born out of their need for quality and affordable accommodation in Dubbo.
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Stage one of the regional patient and carer accommodation facility in east Dubbo will start to fill with guests from the middle of January after being under construction for a year.
Managing director of Macquarie Home Stay, Rod Crowfoot, reports of most bookings being made by pregnant women, some of them taking the time to inspect the facility.
He said difficulties faced by women having to come to Dubbo to have their babies had been the impetus nine years ago for community planning and fundraising for Macquarie Home Stay.
“We know we are hitting the mark and providing something that all those mums from our west are looking for,” he said on Tuesday.
Mr Crowfoot said the facility would offer comfortable and modern accommodation along with financial “relief”.
He said Macquarie Home Stay would make IPTAAS (Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme) claims for eligible guests.
“It's making accessing and affording somewhere to stay before they have their babies so much easier,” the managing director said.
“They only have to make a small co-contribution for the duration of their stay.”
Mr Crowfoot said maternity-related bookings currently extended from the end of January through to May.
But bookings were coming from places such as Nyngan, Cobar, Bourke, Walgett and Lightning Ridge for “a number of different purposes”, he said.
“Our first guest in the middle of January is coming to Dubbo for day surgery at the hospital,” Mr Crowfoot said.
Stage one, built by MAAS Constructions and funded primarily by a state government grant of $3.3 million, includes 14 guest rooms and common kitchen, dining and living areas.
Each room has an ensuite, ceiling fan and reverse-cycle air conditioning.
The facility still needs to be connected to the national broadband network and receive an occupation certificate.
To make a booking call 0427 275 755 or send an email to hello@macquariehomestay.com.au.