Clown Doctors New Zealand - Our Mission

1. The clown doctor who works in the hospital is a trained performing artist, who has been hired by the Clown Doctors New Zealand Charitable Trust and is paid as a contractor on the basis of a remuneration scheme. The clown has the necessary training and experience in the area of clownery. The organisation RED NOSES Clowndoctors International and in addition Clown Doctors New Zealand trains the clowns for the specific work in the hospital.

2. The clown doctor is not allowed to practise any function in the hospital which lies outside the limits of his artistic activities. The clown doctor has to be conscious that the reason for his work is to improve the wellbeing of patients in particular, but also their families and the hospital staff. Through his work, humour and fantasy temporarily become a part of the daily life in the hospital.

3. As a rule, clown doctors in the hospital only work in a team of two. If a clown cannot perform and there is no backup available, then in the exceptional case, the clown doctor visit may be carried out alone.

4. The clown doctor is personally responsible for all his actions within the hospital. His work is based on respect for the dignity, the personality and the private sphere of the patient and his family. During his clown work the artist always retains the same professional integrity, regardless of gender, ethnic heritage, religion, tradition, sexual orientation, family situation, social status, degree of education, illness or any kind of feelings and sentiments he might have towards the person.

5. The clown doctor must keep all information which he receives from the hospital staff in support of his work at the patient’s bed in absolute confidence. This may include the condition of health and the personal background of the patient. It is forbidden for the clown doctor to give this information on to any third parties. Patient/physician confidentiality and discretion is the utmost duty not only within but also outside of the hospital.

6. Within the framework of his duties the clown doctor builds up a relationship with his patient and their relatives. No kind of obligation exists, to continue this contact outside of the hospital whether in private or as a clown doctor. It is the artist’s free decision as a private person whether he wants to keep up contact with the former patient and his relatives or not, as far as they also wish this situation.

7. In order to guarantee the high quality of his work, the artist will continuously train and perfect his artistic skills as a clown doctor. He will also continue and further his theoretical knowledge about illness, medical vocabulary, psychology, the psychic condition of the child and also adults in the hospital.

8. The clown doctor always endeavours not to endanger the safety of patients. Patients are not allowed to be brought into danger through the activities, requisites or movements of the clown doctors.

9. The clown doctor must adhere to the hygienic and safety rules and regulations of the respective hospital ward.

10. The clown doctor will never take sides in internal hospital controversies, complaints or problems which concern the staff or management.