Expert Patient Programme

What is the Expert Patient Programme?

It is a new approach to help people who live with long term conditions maintain their health and improve their quality of life by learning how to manage their condition effectively.

Guidance, support and help are provided in a free course held over six weeks for 2.5 hours per week including 30 minutes break for refreshments.

Courses are run in the community for local people living with long term conditions such as back pain, asthma, heart conditions, arthritis, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), mental health issues etc. and are run by tutors who have chronic health conditions themselves.

The Expert Patient Programme is not intended to replace your current medical treatment but to run alongside it.

Course dates

Two new courses have been arranged in Darlington for 2010, both at Dr Piper House, King Street next to the Walk in Centre. The first will begin on Monday 11 January 2010, 12.30pm - 3.00pm and last for six weeks. A second course will take place, starting on Tuesday 16 March 2010, from 1.30pm - 4.00pm. For further information, contact 0800 328 4229.

What will I learn on the course?

The course follows a workshop style presentation, which is very relaxed and friendly. The tutors introduce several topics each week and involve participants in discussions, problem solving and finding solutions to different aspects of living with a long-term condition.

The workshops cover:

• Finding out about self-management
• Making simple plans of action to achieve realistic goals
• Communication with family and friends
• How and where to find information to help you make decisions about your treatment
• How to manage the symptoms of depression and feeling low
• Management of other symptoms and aspects of your condition
• Working with your medical team, keeping them informed of any changes to your medical condition and making decisions about your treatment with them.

What are the benefits for me?

The Expert Patient Programme has been running for several years in other countries. Research has shown the benefits for participants are numerous and include:

• Less severe symptoms
• Greater feelings of control over the condition
• Greater self confidence and a better quality of life
• More effective communication between medical staff and patients

Interested?

Choose Health leaflet - Choose Health leaflet (1 August 2008)
Choose Health poster - Choose Health poster (1 August 2008)

If you want to find out more about Expert Patient Programme contact Karen Smith, Expert Patient Programme Co-ordinator at:

County Durham Primary Care Trust
Building 2
Fern Court
Bracken Hill Industrial Estate
Peterlee
Co Durham
SR8 2RR

Or give us a call on our FREEPHONE number 0800 328 4229

Or e-mail: karen.smith@cdpct.nhs.uk