Crossword Genius

Leeches in hospital make child sore (7-2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hangers-on

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'leeches' is the definition.
(hanger-on is a kind of leech)

'hospital make child sore' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'hospital' could be 'h' (abbreviation for hospital on maps) and 'h' is found in the answer.
'child' could be 'son' (male child) and 'son' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'anger' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hangers-on that I've seen before include "Sycophants, unwanted followers" , "Sycophantic associates" , "Minions" , "Sycophantic followers - dependants" , "Persistent (and annoying) companions" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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