Expert Patients Programme
What is an Expert Patient?
Expert patients are people living with a long-term health condition, who are able to take more control over their health by understanding and managing their conditions, leading to an improved quality of life. Expert patients...
- Feel confident and in control of their lives
- Aim to manage their condition and its treatment in partnership with health care professionals
- Use their skills and knowledge to lead full lives.
What does it involve?
The Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is a chronic disease self-management programme for anyone living with any long term health condition(s) and is free to you as it is funded by the NHS. Groups of 8-16 participants, with a mix of different conditions, meet over six weekly sessions and are led through a structured course by trained tutors who are also living with a long-term condition. Each 2½ hour session looks at ways to manage the effects of long-term condition such as:
dealing with pain and extreme tiredness
- coping with feelings of depression
- relaxation techniques and exercise
- healthy eating
- planning for the future
- communicating with family, friends and health professionals
What people are saying...
“I am pleased to say that over the 6 weeks of the course I already feel more in control of my life, and as a consequence feel an improvement in my mental, physical and emotional health. In the long term I hope this will mean fewer visits to the surgery; and a better quality of life”.
Forthcoming Expert Patients Programme Courses
| Start Date | Time | Venue |
| Monday 8th September 2008 | 2.00pm - 4.30pm | Plymouth Guild |
| Tuesday 9 September 2008 | 10.00am - 12.30pm | Wycliffe Surgery |
| Thursday 11 September 2008 | 1.30pm - 4.00pm | Wycliffe Surgery |
| Wednesday 8th October 2008 | 10.00am -12.30pm | Plymouth Guild |
"Looking After Me" Expert Patients Programme for Carers
The Expert Patients Programme at Plymouth Guild also offers a self-management course called "Looking After Me" for carers whose own health is affected. As its name implies, the course is about you making time to look after your own health needs. It aims to help you to take more control of your situation and make a difference to your life.
The course looks at: Relaxation techniques, dealing with tiredness, exercise, healthy eating, coping with depression, communicating with family, friends and professionals, planning for the future.
Who can take part?
Any adult who has any long-term health condition themselves and who gives help to a relative or friend who is ill, disabled, elderly or in need of emotional support (in other words, they are a carer) or any adult who is a carer and whose health is affected by this (back injury, stress-related illnesses, psychological ill-health, for example). Looking after Me is led by trained tutors who themselves have experience of caring for a relative. The course is run over six weekly 2½ half hour sessions.
How can it help you?
By taking part in a Looking after Me course, you will:
- learn new skills to help you to cope with your caring situation
- develop the confidence to take more control of your life
- meet with others who share similar experiences
Contact Us
For further information please contact:
Jan White - Expert Patients Programme Co-ordinator
- Telephone: 01752 201766
- Fax: 01752 202214
- Email: epp@plymouthguild.org.uk
- Post: Plymouth Guild, Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth PL1 2DA