Laughter Care Specialists healing with humour at Monash Health
- Aged Care and Rehabilitation, Media
- 1 min read
Laughter Care Specialists have been visiting Monash Health's Kingston Centre once a week, as part of a trial program, creating moments of joy through humour, singing and dancing.
Freddie is one of those specially trained Laughter Care Specialists, who swaps stethoscopes for songs and jokes.
Nurse Unit Manager Ashley Southin said it’s turned Monday into a favourite day of the week for patients.
‘Most of them look forward to Mondays,’ she said.
‘They look forward to the singing and the dancing, as well as connecting with the other patients in the room, and they love when the staff join in.’
‘I love Freddie when he comes,’ patient Michelle told the ABC.
‘I didn’t used to like clowns, then I met Freddie.’
Another said the Laughter Care Specialist has brought warmth and fun to the clinical space.
‘Freddie, you’re really good,’ Sue said.
‘You’re keeping everyone happy.’
Monash Health staff regularly join in the fun through songs, dancing and spontaneous moments of play.
‘It’s made the ward more enjoyable,’ Ashley said.
Freddie said the enthusiasm from staff had been central to the program’s success.
‘Thank you very much. You’re a wonderful team,’ he said.
‘Thank you for taking the risk to go above and beyond into the creative realm. I really appreciate your extra dancing, your extra singing, your wonderful smiling and the care that you take in the work you do.’
Bringing fun to the workplace
The program is delivered by Clown Doctors Australia, a national organisation that works in hospitals, aged care facilities and hospices across the country.
‘We know laughter and humour create better bonds between people, decrease stress, enhance communication and generally make people feel better,’ Artistic Director David Symons said.
‘Healthcare clowning has been around for almost 50 years and there’s a significant body of research showing the positive impact it has on patient wellbeing, staff wellbeing and people’s overall experience of care.’
Performers come from professional performance backgrounds and complete a year-long ‘clownternship’ to learn how to safely and sensitively engage with patients.
‘We call our Laughter Care Specialists catalysts for connection,’ David said.
‘The first thing we do is connect with someone. We meet people where they’re at, build rapport and create a moment that is meaningful for them.’
Patients, families and staff have all embraced the program.
With patients eagerly anticipating each visit and staff embracing the opportunity to connect in a different way, the 6-month trial at the geriatric and rehab centre is demonstrating how moments of joy can make a meaningful difference in healthcare settings.
And Freddie has one final request for the Monash Health team.
‘I hope you’re doing your tambourine practice during the week,’ he laughed.
You can read the ABC News online story: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-17/clown-doctors-australia-aged-care-hospitals/107264674
