wpebdf5eb7.png

What is the Expert Patients Programme (EPP)?

Who can take part?

How has it helped other people?

How can it help you?

Course overview

 

LOOKING AFTER ME

A free self management course for carers

 

Useful resources

 

ENROL NOW

 

 

 

What is the Expert Patients Programme (EPP)?

 

The Expert Patients Programme is a FREE course run over 6 weeks for people living with long-term health conditions.  Each 2½ hour session is delivered by two trained volunteer tutors who themselves live with long-term health conditions.

 

The EPP course can help you to learn new skills to manage your condition better and take more control from day to day.

 

We look at:

  • dealing with pain and tiredness
  • coping with feelings of depression
  • relaxation techniques and gentle exercise
  • healthy eating
  • communicating with family, friends and health professionals
  • planning for the future

 

 

back

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who can take part?

 

Anyone living with one or more long-term health conditions.

 

 

back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How has it helped other people?

 

People who have taken part in an EPP course tell us it has helped them:

 

“I refocused my condition using the Expert Patients Programme, putting me in control so I became the manager not the victim.” Ruth, Knutsford

 

“It has given me the knowledge and awareness to take control.” Maureen, Winsford

 

“My husband, who is also my carer, stayed for every session.  Not only did he learn a lot about unending pain and its restrictions, he also learnt that we are not alone in our unpredictable daily struggle at life.” Gina, Weaverham

 

“This course has shown me that the condition that I have lives with me on my terms and not the other way round.” Lyn, Northwich

 

“I soon realised the benefits of attending such a course.  We had very different conditions to contend with but the common denominator was long-term.  It enabled me to express my opinion freely.  It never claims to be a miracle cure but helps to show you what is essentially a change of lifestyle and how to cope with it - this certainly is not the end of the road.”

Geoff, Alsager

 

“I recommend you to do the course.  I was told by another participant how my positive attitude had changed her life as well as changing mine.” Bryan, Crewe

 

 

back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can it help you?

 

By taking part in an Expert Patients Programme course, in a welcoming and friendly environment, you can:

 

  • learn new skills to enable you to manage your health condition
  • develop more confidence in the daily management of you condition
  • meet others who share similar experiences
  • learn about developing more effective working and communication relationships with healthcare professionals.

 

Why not join us and see what the Expert Patients Programme can do for you.  Referral on to an EPP course is easy.

 

  • you refer yourself
  • you do NOT need to be referred by a health professional
  • call one of the numbers on the screen or click here to complete the application form on-line

 

 

back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful resources

 

Expert Patients Programme website

www.expertpatients.nhs.uk

 

Department of Health website

www.dh.gov.uk/selfcare

 

Long-term Medical Conditions Alliance

www.lmca.org.uk

 

Supporting Expert Patients: How to develop lay led self-management programmes for people with long-term condition medical conditions. Can be downloaded from www.lmca.org.uk

 

The NHS Improvement Plan can be downloaded from www.dh.gov.uk

 

National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework (2005/6 - 2007/8). Can be downloaded from www.dh.gov.uk

 

 

back

 

Course overview

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

Overview of self-management and long-term health conditions

y

 

 

 

 

 

Making an Action Plan

y

y

y

y

y

y

Relaxation / cognitive symptom management

y

 

y

y

y

y

Feedback / problem solving

 

y

y

y

y

y

Difficult emotions

 

y

 

 

 

 

Fitness / exercise

 

y

y

 

 

 

Better breathing

y

 

 

 

 

 

Fatigue

 

 

y

 

 

 

Healthy eating

 

 

 

y

 

 

Future plans for Health Care

 

 

 

y

 

 

Communication

 

 

 

y

 

 

Medications

 

 

 

 

y

 

Depression

 

 

 

 

y

 

Making treatment decisions

 

 

 

 

 

y

Working with your healthcare professionals

 

 

 

 

 

y

Looking back - looking forward

 

 

 

 

 

y

weeks
back

LOOKING AFTER ME

 

A free course for adults who care for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

 

As its name implies, the course is about you making time to look after your own health needs.  It aims to help you 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

 

The course does not cover carers’ rights or benefits, nor practical caring skills such as lifting and handling, although there will be information available on these topics on a resource table.

 

Looking After Me is led by trained tutors who themselves have experience of caring for a relative.

 

The course is run over six weekly half-day sessions, including coffee/tea and lunch breaks.  Refreshments are provided free of charge.

 

Looking After Me is aimed particularly at adults caring for other adults.  Carers of children with long-term health conditions or disabilities will not be turned away but may find a new course currently being piloted for parents/guardians to be more appropriate.

 

back
wp5533b116.gif