Funny business

There's something funny going on at Christchurch Hospital. JAMES CROOT investigates.

Tuesdays are a popular time to be a young inpatient at Christchurch Hospital.

For the past three months those in the children's wards, oncology and the high-dependency unit have had spirit- lifting visits on that day by clown doctors.

Employing the healing power of humour, they help the patients take their minds off their troubles, even if only temporarily.

Founder of the Clown Doctors New Zealand Charitable Trust Thomas Petschner says they have had an amazing reception since they started their visits in September.

"I'm really, really surprised at the great response we've had from nurses, doctors, patients, parents and grannies. The kids are now waiting for us to arrive. We've had written feedback which has been really motivating."

Team coordinator Rita Noetzel says there are six clown doctors in Christchurch with others ready to go in Wellington and Auckland early next year. As well as Christchurch Hospital, they also run a geriatric programme at Princess Margaret Hospital once a fortnight.

"This is done at no cost to the hospital and we would like to do more but the clowns have to be paid for their work."

A medical doctor, Petschner has done a lot of research on the impact of humour on metabolism, hormones and the immune system.

"I found there are real benefits in blending health with humour. You become healthier just by smiling. Research shows children visited by clown doctors are happier and more able to face uncomfortable procedures."

Drawing on the European tradition of clowning, the performers eschew the "scary" make-up for a simple red nose, funny hat and funny clothing that doesn't fit together.

"Someone commented that we look just like junior doctors," laughs Petschner.

The clown doctors work in pairs - always a male and a female and perform improvisational theatre.

"Every time you open the door you don't know who is going to be there - a teenager who is cool or a three-day-old baby and their sleep-deprived and desperate family," says Petschner. "You have to decide at that moment what to do and how to act, creating some funny comic situation around what's happening in the room.

"For example, the other day there was a little girl checking in with her suitcase so we jumped in the room and started to check the curtains and the beddings. I say to my partner, 'Wow, what a great hotel. I would like to book my next holiday here'. And the little girl goes, 'You're so stupid this is not a hotel, this is a hospital'. Then her mum got a phone call, so I pretended to be talking to her on my plastic banana. It got the little girl involved, took her mind off what was happening, and created a great atmosphere because she started giggling."

Hopes of extending the programme have recently been boosted by the signing of a contact with Tradestaff as their founding sponsor, says Petschner.

"We are looking for more sponsors because we want to guarantee our weekly visits and spread the programme further. Wouldn't it be great to be able to visit the kids three times a week and extend our service to other hospitals like Burwood."

* Good-humoured Governors Bay locals are transforming their hamlet into a giant garage sale in support of the clown doctors this Sunday. Between 8.30am and 12.30pm participating homes and the local community centre will be simultaneously offering everything from books and kitchenware to tools and toys. Garage Sale Trail organiser Andrea Petschner says maps and a list of items for sale will be available on the day or at governorsbay.net.nz