FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ozanam House is a charitable trust providing accommodation for out of town patients and their accompanying carer or support person while undergoing cancer treatment at the Regional Cancer Treatment Service, Palmerston North hospital. Comprising 13 houses on 2 sites, all within easy walking distance to/from the Hospital. Ozanam House provides the highest standard of comfort, privacy and atmosphere where health problems are understood and accepted. Each house is unique in design style. 

We receive accommodation bookings from Palmerston North Hospital and our staff will ring you when your treatment start date is confirmed to discuss accommodation. Please feel to visit us at Ozanam House when you are in Palmerston North for your planning appointment.   Any treatment or appointment enquiries should be directed to the hospital.

5-10 minutes walk. If required Administration staff are happy to drop you off and collect you for your appointments.

The caring hands of welcome to the "home away from home".  The daffodil signifies the first flower of spring whose bright yellow blooms remind us of the joys a new season brings. Together- the hands of welcome - caring, and the blooming joy, hope, and a new beginning.

There are no rigid check in or out times. However, if you will be arriving after 4.00 pm please contact the Administrator to arrange key and room details

There is no charge for accommodation. However donations to the Trust are welcome, this can be discussed with the Administrators. Donations can be made either by EFPOS, cash or directly online, refer to the DONATE page on our website.   

Each of our houses are unique in size and design style. You will be allocated a bedroom, which is yours for the duration of your treatment.  You may have one carer stay with you in your room.  Each house has communal facilities - a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, lounge and laundry with washer and dryer for guest use.  Each guest is provided with a small fridge-freezer and storage cupboard in the kitchen.  Guests are responsible for their own food preparation.  Our housekeepers maintain the communal areas daily, but we ask that guests clean/tidy up after themselves. 

Each bedroom contains 2 x single beds with an ensuite.  All linen is provided i.e. all bedding and towels. Linen can be changed by the guest as required. Your room will be cleaned when you vacate it. During your stay we would appreciate it if you could keep your room tidy and clean.

• All kitchens are fully equipped.
• Bring all your individual food requirements for self-catering including milk.
• Tea, coffee, and sugar are provided.
• Bring clothes and all personal toiletries e.g., soap, toothpaste etc
• Laundry powder for your personal laundry

You can have one support person (over the age of 18) stay with you. It is expected the support person will be able to care for you during the course of your treatment. Visitors are welcome, but please be mindful of other guests.

In special circumstances, additional carers may be accommodated for a brief time dependent upon occupancy at the time, prioritisation is to patients first and carers second. A nighty service fee will apply. In all cases discuss with the Administrator first.

A caregiver needs to be over 18 years of age. It is expected the carer will be able to care for you during the course of your treatment. This may include meal preparation, any personal cares and housekeeping of your room.

Guests are welcome to stay over the weekend, please advise the Administrator.

If you are returning for a subsequent stay, it is not always possible, however you are welcome to discuss this with the Administrator.

You will be given a key which will give you unique access to your bedroom.  It will also unlock your house external doors and give you access to the Recreation Room and Chapel.

Yes, guests and carers have access to free ultra-fast broadband WiFi. A fair use policy applies.

Wall heaters are available in all rooms.

Ozanam House has Ruby our house cat (rodent control officer), otherwise we are a pet free facility. 

Your key allows you entry into the house you are staying in, your room and the recreation room on site.

There is a designated areas set aside for smoking. No smoking or vaping is permitted inside or around any of the houses.

The Ozanam House phone number is 06-356 6316. Select the option – to be directed to the house you are staying in.
Our postal address is P O Box 5472, Terrace End, Palmerston North 4441.

Yes, free national and international calling is available to landlines in New Zealand, Australia, UK and USA and Canada. You will be given a phone number for the house you are staying in so that your friends or relatives can contact you.

There is an emergency kit available at each site.

If you become unwell or there is a fire onsite or have any security concerns, please ring 111, as you would at home.

Evacuate the building to the nearest assembly area. If there is a fire, phone 111 and await the arrival of the alarm technician to reset the alarm. Alarms are not monitored by the fire service. Upon alarm activation the technician will arrive to deactivate the alarm and reset. 

The Featherston Street site is staffed Monday to Thursday 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Friday 8.00 am to 4.00 pm 
An after hours contact number is available for 24 hour/weekend assistance.

If required during your stay staff can provide transport to and from the Hospital for treatment appointments.

The Oncology Department of Palmerston North Hospital makes bookings for all patients coming for treatment as out-patients. They do try to provide out of town patients with morning appointment times on Fridays and afternoon appointments times on Mondays.

Terrace End shopping complex is 20 minutes walk away and has a range of banks, pharmacy, Post Office and a few shops. New World & Countdown supermarkets are close. The Administration staff are happy to drop you off and collect you when you have finished.

A bus stop is located outside the Ruahine Street gate with frequent times to the Square and back. Realtime service timetables are: https://horizons.dynamis.live/#/home

If you are going to utilise the Cancer Society shuttle for your initial arrival at Ozanam House, please contact them and arrange transport.    Once you are staying with us, please discuss with office staff if you require the shuttle home in the weekends. 

Taranaki Cancer Society 06-757 3006 Hawkes Bay Cancer Society 06-876 7638

Yes, you may park your vehicle and use the shuttle between Hawkes Bay and Taranaki. The shuttles travels on Mondays and Fridays and Hawkes Bay on Wednesdays as necessary.

There will be clean linen on your bed when you arrive. Towels are also provided. Linen can be changed by the guest as required. Your room will be cleaned when you have vacated it. During your stay we would appreciate it if you could keep your room tidy and clean.

Housekeepers come in daily to clean communal areas.

Washing machines and dryers are available for guests’ personal laundry. Bring your soap powder.

Car parking is provided for guests only.