Patients prescribed comedy

Hospital staff have set up a comedy room for patients because they believe laughter is the best medicine.

CDs, tapes and videos of great comic performances will be available to those at Oxleas House mental health unit in south London's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The aim is to give patients the opportunity to enjoy the health benefits of comedy.

Ward manager John Kelly said: "Research has shown that humour and laughter is beneficial to health, including mental wellbeing.

"There is no reason why patients should not benefit from something which is so east to set up."

The unit, which serves Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich, is asking for donations of videos, CDs, tapes, books or magazines to be sent to Maryon Ward, Oxleas House, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, SE18 4QH.

Published: 18 Dec 2001