IT'S official - laughter really is the best medicine as far as health chiefs are concerned.

Bosses at Southampton General Hospital are sending in the clowns to the children's unit.

Dr Geehee and Dr Doppit, alias Faith Tingle and Hilary Day, first visited the hospital as part of a pilot scheme but are now regulars at the unit every Wednesday.

Trained by the London-based Theodora Children's Trust, the two clown doctors sing songs, perform tricks, create balloon animals and play banjos to delight young patients.

It is a scene reminiscent from the film Patch Adams, where Robin Williams stars as a medical student who puts his career on the line by trying to prove to the medical profession that laughter is contagious.

The pair, who also travel round to several hospitals in London, are provided free of charge to Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust by the Theodora Trust, which now has nine clown doctors working in eight hospitals around the UK.

Dr Geehee said: "I go round the wards with Dr Doppit and we see all the children and we try to give them a nice bright day and make them laugh. We blow balloons up for them, do some magic and just remind them what it's like to play again.

"I enjoy being around children, seeing their reaction. Just to see them smile and to see mum and dad smile."

Dr Doppit added: "When I heard about clown doctors it was like being a child on Christmas Eve.

"It was like 'that's what I want to do, I don't want to do anything else'."

Hospital spokeswoman Marilyn Kay said: "They're great for children who are concerned about any of the treatments they may have, it takes their mind off it, it cheers them and their relatives up. It distracts them and it's a great way to relieve the boredom of being in hospital.

"There's no doubt about it, if children feel better they get better."

Patient Sam Parkinson, 13, said: "They're really funny. I haven't seen them before, but it's helped me to cheer up a bit."

Fellow patient Scott Jehan, 11, added: "They're nuts, but they make me laugh."

RIB-TICKLERS:

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor I feel like a pair of curtains!"

Doctor: "Well pull yourself together then!"

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor, everyone keeps ignoring me."

Doctor: "Next please!"

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor I keep thinking there is two of me!"

Doctor: "One at a time please."

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor, some days I feel like a teepee and other days I feel like a wigwam."

Doctor: "You're too tents."

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor I keep thinking I'm invisible!"

Doctor: "Who said that?"

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor my little boy has just swallowed a roll of film!"

Doctor: "Hmmmm. Let's hope nothing develops."

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor, I can't get to sleep."

Doctor: "Sit on the edge of the bed and you'll soon drop off."

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor I've lost my memory!"

Doctor: "When did this happen?"

Patient: "When did what happen?"

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor, I feel like a pack of cards."

Doctor: "I'll deal with you later."

Patient: "Doctor, Doctor my son has swallowed my pen, what should I do?"

Doctor: "Use a pencil till I get there."

Do you know any more doctor jokes (no rude ones please!)? Ring Emma Barnett in the newsroom on 023 8042 4505 or e-mail using the link above.