Toilet Training

This toilet training session, offers useful tips and advice to help ease any anxiety or big feelings.

Lisa Smith is a continence nurse based here in Hawke's Bay with a wealth of knowledge, stemming back 35 years. She is truly passionate about helping tamariki and their whānau tackle all things potty related.

In 2004 Lisa moved from England and started working in the children’s ward at Hastings Hospital and very quickly realised there was a huge gap in support for children and families with severe constipation and soiling. A child was being admitted every week to the ward for a bowel clearout with no close follow up afterwards. Subsequently, many of them were readmitted again within the year.  

Over the next year she researched the problem of chronic constipation in Children and developed a similar model to running a nurse-led asthma Clinic.

Her mantra has always been “turning bad into good” after the many hurdles she has encountered supporting her son, Aaron, who was diagnosed with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 

The experience of managing her child’s challenging behaviours have helped her in her role as a Children’s Continence Nurse. There is nothing more satisfying than when a child comes to her clinic and says, ‘Mr Poo is a happy poo and comes out in the toilet every day’. Hearing that is something that she will never get tired of hearing.

Lisa loves helping parents, carers and children and would love you to get in touch. You can reach her via our Continence Helpline on 0800 650 659 or via email.