Clown Doctors Australia brings laughter to patients
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Clown Doctors Australia sent performers like “Freddie the Clown” to visit patients in geriatric care and rehabilitation centres, including the Kingston Centre in Melbourne, Australia, as part of a six-month trial.
Initially, some patients like Sue were unsure about the visits, but Freddie quickly won them over with his sensitive and empathetic approach.
David Wells, the performer behind Freddie, has 47 years of experience in the performing arts and completed a year-long “clownternship” with Clown Doctors Australia to learn how to effectively connect with patients. The organisation emphasizes that successful clown doctors need both performance skills and the ability to understand and respond to individual patient needs. This year, around 100 clown doctors visited over 100,000 patients across Australia.
Nurse unit manager Ashley Southin reported that the trial at Kingston Centre has been successful, making the ward more enjoyable for both patients and staff. Patients like Michelle, who were previously skeptical of clowns, now eagerly anticipate Freddie’s visits, noting that he remembers details about them and incorporates them into personalized songs. Wells himself finds the work deeply rewarding, describing it as emotionally demanding but “outrageously fun” and one of his favourite jobs.
