Macquarie Home Stay managing director Rod Crowfoot said helping people undergoing surgery in Dubbo from towns both near and far was always his priority.

“We had a strong vision going back nine years ago, and it started with a conversation in Dawn Fardell’s office who was the sitting state member at the time, around the need for expectant mum’s from out-of-town to stay before and after giving birth,” he said.

“We decided the need was strong enough to do that, but since then the concept has grown to include people undergoing surgery in Dubbo from Bourke, Cobar, Lighting Ridge and other towns in the region.

“People will have to travel to Dubbo to use the cancer centre, for day surgery, for accident and emergency so we’ve opened it up and now the general requirement to stay here is that you are undergoing surgery at the Dubbo Hospital and we have 14 rooms available for those people.

“We’ve got expectant mums who are forward planning and we’ve got bookings right up until June this year already.”

Guest services officer Anmaree Leslie said most people are concerned about cost when they inquire about staying at Macquarie Home Stay.

“The main reason people are becoming attracted to our service is that it is affordable,” she said.

“It is particularly affordable if they qualify for the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance (IPTAAS) if people live more than 200 kilometres round trip from Dubbo they are eligible.” 

Mr Crowfoot said feedback towards the facility has been positive.

“People who have stayed with us already say that the centre feels comfortable, it’s like home, it has all the basics they need,” he said.

“We have air conditioning and great common spaces; certainly the kitchen is spacious and easy to use.

“We are set up as self-catering, the rooms have a fridge in them for storing food and the shared common space is available for those who need to stay for an extended time and would like to cook their own meals, we want this to be a home-away-from-home for our guests.”