Torrens House - Child and Youth Health

What to bring
> Day and night clothes for yourself and your baby,
including bibs.
> Toiletries for yourself and baby (e.g. soap, creams
and lotions, tissues).
> If you are breastfeeding and using feeding aids please
bring them with you (e.g. nipple shield, supply line,
pump for expressing).
> If using infant formula – bring your own formula, bottles,
caps, teats, bottle brush and sterilising equipment.
> Disposable nappies, nappy wipes and nappy disposal
bags if you use them.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Disposable or vinyl change mat.
Pram, wrap sheet, a few toys and books.
Your own pillow (if preferred).
Any medication you or your baby take.
Your baby’s Child Health Record (Blue Book).
Your Medicare card.
Your mobile phone and charger.
What we supply
>
>
Furniture, bedding and towels
Your meals and food for babies having solids.
> Meal times:
– Lunch – 12.00–12.30pm
– Dinner – 6.00–6.30pm
Limited snacks are available. Please let us know if you
have any special dietary needs.
Torrens House is a smoke free area.
Where are we
We are located at 295 South Terrace, Adelaide.
Car parking
Car parking is limited, so if possible please arrange
for someone to drop you off on Tuesday and
pick you up on Friday.
There is secure night time parking for partners
who wish to stay overnight.
Parents from the country are given car parking
preference.
Cancellation
Please let us know prior to your admission date
if you are not able to attend or if you or your
baby is unwell. Phone the Child and Family
Health Service on 8303 1522.
For more information
Parent Helpline
Telephone: 1300 364 100
Non-English speaking: for information
in languages other than English, call
the interpreting and Translating Centre
and ask them to call The Department
of Health. This service is available at
no cost to you, contact (08) 8226 1990.
http://www.gilf.gov.au/
© Department of Health, Government of South Australia.
All rights reserved. Reviewed November 2010. Printed November 2010.
Designed by Digital Media.
Child and Family Health Service
Torrens
House
A live-in service for families
with babies 0–12 months

Torrens House is a service for parents and
babies up to 12 months old. Torrens House
staff will help you with feeding, sleep and
settling of your baby and any other concerns
you may have. Located in Adelaide, Torrens
House offers a 3½ day ‘live-in’ stay Tuesday
to Friday for 9 families each week.
Parents from anywhere in South Australia can be referred
to Torrens House by a Child and Family Health Nurse.
Partners are also encouraged to stay if they are able.
Your other children are welcome to visit and have meals
with you but they cannot stay overnight.
Admission is on Tuesday morning from 8.00am
and discharge is before 2.00pm on Friday.
All rooms have a queen-sized bed, air conditioning,
en-suite facilities and a small fridge.
Torrens House is a free service.
While you are waiting
Once your referral has been submitted by your Child and
Family Health nurse you will be contacted by the Torrens
House Intake Coordinator to arrange your placement at
Torrens House as quickly as possible. There is often a waiting
period which can vary, but your admission will be organised
as soon as possible. You will be given a specific time to
arrive on the Tuesday and it is important you are on time,
so please keep in mind traffic and your baby’s feeding needs.
Your CaFHS nurse will continue to help you care for your
baby while you are waiting to be admitted.
Before coming to Torrens House we ask you to visit your
GP for a health check for you and your baby. If you or your
baby are unwell, you will not be able to be admitted to
Torrens House.
Planning your care
When you come to Torrens House we will plan your care
with you. We will discuss what you want to achieve while
you are here, and work with you to help achieve your goals.
Our staff are skilled in areas such as breastfeeding,
nutrition, settling and infant development. As well as
nursing staff, we have medical officers, a mental health
nurse and social worker.
Safe sleeping for your baby
We are concerned about safety for you and your baby.
While staying at Torrens House your baby will need to
sleep according to SIDS guidelines. This means your baby
cannot sleep in a bed with you and will be settled to sleep
in their own cot and on their back.
If you or your baby become unwell
If you or your baby become unwell while in Torrens
House, you will be asked to leave to prevent spread of
infection. However we will discuss other ways to support
you if you are required to leave early.