Mirth and merriment were the orders of the day on the Ulster Hospital’s Paediatric Wards as The Artscare NI Clown Doctors marked 20 years with children, families and staff.
The ‘clown doctors’ are a core troupe of actors, performers, musicians and dancers who have undertaken bespoke ‘clown doctoring’ training and visit sick children in hospital and hospice settings to brighten their day through creative play and fun.
14-year-old Lucie Frame described how much the Clown Doctors had “cheered” her up as she had plans to go away over the weekend. “The Clown Doctors came in and really cheered me up,” said Lucy. “They are really funny and my Dad was even joking around with them and they made me feel better.”
Founding member Paul Taylor, otherwise known to children and young people on the hospital wards as ‘Dr Clooless’ explained how much 20 years bringing joy and laughter meant to him and the team. “I want to say thanks to the Ulster Hospital for allowing us to come and entertain and meet the children these past 20 years. I even have ‘Clown Doctor’ down as my profession on my children’s birth certificates,” Paul laughed. “We work so well with the hospital Play Specialists and the staff here, we are a big team here. We like to think we bring a different atmosphere onto the ward and I know how anxious you can get on a hospital ward, I’ve been here with my own children. As Clown Doctors, we hope that the children and young people can build a relationship with us.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was onhand to congratulate the Clown Doctors on their milestone. “For 20 years the Clown Doctors’ service has been helping children who may be worried or nervous in hospital and they must be praised for the work they have done and continue to do, and the joy they bring, not only to the children, but also the families.
“I know Artscare as a charity is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals in healthcare and community settings through the transformative power of the arts, and its vision is to ensure that everyone across Northern Ireland has the opportunity to experience the positive health and wellbeing benefits that creative engagement brings and in settings such as this that has to be encouraged. The large number of interactions and sessions the Clown Doctors have had last year, and this year is a testament to the excellent work you do and the impacts you have for the children, their families and the staff in the wards.”
Ulster Hospital Healthcare Play Specialist Sharon Pauley described how she and the team were “honoured” to host the momentous birthday celebrations. “We have had the pleasure of having the Clown Doctors on our Paediatric Ward since they started. We were the first Trust to host the Clown Doctors Programme.
“It is a great honour for us to be able to kick off their celebrations here at the Ulster Hospital and it’s great for them to showcase their incredible work to the Health Minister and our Chief Executive Roisin Coulter and Chairman Jonathan Patton.
Sharon continued, “The Clown Doctors have provided an amazing service over the years for the children and they are amazing at engaging the children, young people and parents that are in our care. They promote mental health and well-being and have such a positive impact on people’s mood on the ward. They say that ‘laughter is the best medicine’ and we have seen that in action thanks to the Clown Doctors.”
Barry Macaulay, CEO/Artistic Director Arts Care said, “This year, we proudly celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Arts Care Clown Doctors in Northern Ireland. These highly trained professional performers use the art of clowning to bring joy, comfort, and relief to children and young people who are anxious, vulnerable, or unwell.
“Through playful interactions and imaginative storytelling, our Clown Doctors Dr Muddle, Dr Clooless, Dr Fizz, Dr Dapper, and Dr Twinkle create magical moments in healthcare settings, from hospital bedsides to waiting rooms across all five Trusts.
“Currently, Arts Care are commissioned directly by the Department of Health to deliver these vital services and supported by occasional Trust charitable fund contributions.
“However, with creative health funding due to transfer directly to the Trusts by March 2025, the future of our Clown Doctors’ service is uncertain.
“We are hopeful that the Trusts will recognise the profound impact our Clown Doctors have such as opening doors to imaginative worlds and offering much-needed moments of respite and joy.”
Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Roisín McDonough, added, “Anyone who has witnessed the extraordinary, uplifting work of the Arts Care Clown Doctors will recognise how effective the arts are at helping sick children and their families and carers cope with the complex range of emotions they may experience during their stay in hospital. In these situations a little happiness goes a very long way.
“The work of these professionally-trained Arts Care performers, supporting the clinical and nursing staff, is one of the most heartening examples I know of, of how the arts can make a very real and meaningful difference to people’s wellbeing and quality of life, in what can otherwise be anxious and stressful situations.”