Clown doctors bring a smile to the sick, but not every joker can do it

Key points

• Clown doctor Freddie, played by performer David Wells, is taking part in a six-month trial at the Kingston Centre, a geriatric care and rehabilitation centre in Melbourne's south-east run by Monash Health. Patients who were at first doubtful now look forward to his visits, and staff have joined in singing.
• Wells has a 47-year performing career and completed a one-year training program with Clown Doctors Australia. The organisation's artistic director, David Symons, says about 100 clown doctors have visited more than 100,000 patients this year.
• Wells says the work is meaningful and rewarding, though emotionally demanding.