Clowning around in the country
While the rural doctor shortage is no laughing matter, the situation will be temporarily eased this week, with a visit from Laughter Specialists Doctor S. Duffer and Doctor Colour Full.
Sydney’s Humour Foundation Clown Doctors™ will be visiting Moree District Health Service on Friday 3 August to promote the healing power of humour and laughter therapy.
Clown Doctors are professional performers, trained to work in sensitive hospital settings. They prescribe doses of humour and administer it through improvisational play and music.
The team, which comprises 55 laughter specialists, makes a difference to 85,000 patients a year across Australia.
The Clown Doctors parody hospital routines to help children and adult patients adapt to an unfamiliar environment, and distract children during painful or distressing procedures.
Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Humour Foundation, Jean-Paul Bell selects and trains the Clown Doctors, and often speaks to health professionals and community groups. In 2000 he was one of three Clown Doctors to visit East Timor and in 2002 he was part of the International Patchwork for Peace mission visiting Afghanistan.
“When people see the Clown Doctors dispensing doses of fun and laughter in hospitals, they may not realise that Clown Doctors are highly skilled professional performers who have undergone an audition process and initial training to work in the sensitive hospital environment.
“They also continue training with a regular on-going professional development program,” he said.
Bell’s colleague, Dr S. Duffer will join Dr Colour Full to present ‘Clown Rounds’ to patients at Moree District Health Service. The rounds are interactive with patients and staff and include puppetry, song, magic, comedy and mime.
Clown Rounds will be conducted through all wards at Moree District Health Service, including the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Children’s Ward, and the corridors, foyers and lifts.
Moree District Health Service Nurse Manager Sally Clarke said the Clown Doctors had real physiological and psychological benefits for patients.
“There’s a definite Clown Doctor shortage in regional areas. Staff and patients at our health service sites are looking forward to a good giggle,” Ms Clarke said.
“The Clown Doctor visit has been made possible with the support of the Commonwealth Bank, from community and staff support. We’re grateful to be able to partner with the Commonwealth Bank to bring a smile to some country kids and patients.”
A photo opportunity is available with Dr S. Duffer and Dr Colour Full at Moree District Health Service at 10.30am Friday 3 August. Please contact Nicole Fuller on (02) 6767 7136 to arrange an interview or photo opportunity.
Media Inquiries: Nicole Fuller, (02) 6767 7136 or 0408 665 019 (Ref: HNE-1025)
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 6767 7136