Clown doctors prove laughter is best medicine in Toowoomba

THE PAEDIATRIC ward of the Toowoomba Hospital was filled with laughter this morning as clown doctors from the Humour Foundation paid young patients a visit.

THE PAEDIATRIC ward of the Toowoomba Hospital was filled with laughter this morning as clown doctors from the Humour Foundation paid young patients a visit.

Dr Sniggles and Dr O'Dear bounced around the rooms spreading Christmas cheer with their jokes and tricks.

FUN AND GAMES: Toowoomba Hospital patient Eva Palmer joins in on the fun with Dr O'Dear (Robbie O'Brien) and Dr Sniggles (Helen Quinlan) as the Humour Foundation's clown doctors pay the ward a visit. Picture: Kevin Farmer

In one they entertained Eva Palmer, a 12-year-old from Stanthorpe who had been admitted to the hospital two weeks before due to issues caused by a ruptured appendix. Her face lit up as the clown doctors showed her their yoyo skills, before asking her to help them perform a flyswat high-five.

"Dr Sniggles and Dr O'Dear are really fun - I like the yoyo trick," she said.

"(Hospital) can be boring, very boring. It's okay when you're very sick, because you are sleeping. But when you feel okay it starts to get boring sitting there all day."

Eva hopes to be discharged from hospital on Monday, so she can spend Christmas with her family.

Dr O'Dear (Robbie O'Brien) and Dr Sniggles (Helen Quinlan) pop in for a visit.

The clown doctors are travelling around the country as part of a tour sponsored by the Moose Toys Foundation.

"It sucks when you have to be in hospital at the best of times, but especially around Christmas," Dr O'Dear Robbie O'Brien said.

"It's nice to be able to come and give everyone a lift. Especially at this time when everyone is doing it a bit tough."

Eva Palmer and her mum Samantha Palmer share a laugh with the clowns.