Accommodation near hospital
If you need short-term accommodation to be close to a relative or friend while they are in hospital, there options available. Often, there are some accommodation providers within a short walking distance from the hospital.
Find accommodation near your hospital
Find your hospital for information about local accommodation options on or near the hospital grounds. Many hospitals list accommodation options on their websites, or provide details over the phone.
Parent accommodation
Generally, 1 parent may stay with a child overnight in the ward. There are also other accommodation options for parents and families near the Queensland Children’s Hospital or through other accommodation providers.
Financial assistance
An accommodation and travel subsidy may be available from your local hospital through the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) if it is medically necessary for you to escort your relative while in hospital.
An escort is someone who accompanies the patient when travelling to access specialist medical treatment. This can be to assist them in their treatment, as an active carer or if the patient is impaired. An escort must be 18 years or older. Learn more about escort subsidies.
If your relative doesn’t need emergency admission, you will need to get approval for the subsidy before you travel.
Contact the patient travel office at your local hospital to discuss eligibility and the application process.
If admitted unexpectedly, a retrospective (past) PTSS application can be submitted. Learn more about retrospective applications.
Other accommodation providers
You may be eligible for accommodation from other community agencies such as Returned & Services League (RSL), the Cancer Council and Ronald McDonald House.
Returned & Services League (RSL)
The RSL offers community emergency accommodation facilities across Queensland.
These services are available for veterans, ex-service members, their dependants and other personnel who are homeless as a result of crisis. Short-term accommodation is available for specialist medical treatment or counselling. For more information visit the RSL (Queensland Branch).
Cancer Council
Cancer council Queensland provides accommodation for regional cancer patients and their carers when they need to travel for treatment.
Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation for families from regional areas, interstate and overseas. The length of stay can be from 1 night to months and years. Visit Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia for more information.