Expert Patient Programme
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The Expert Patients Programme is an NHS initiative to help people who are living with long-term conditions maintain their health and improve their quality of life. It is a course designed to help people take control of their conditions and make a difference to their life.
It recognises that people can develop the skills to deal with the impact of living with a long-term condition.
For details about all EPP courses in Gloucestershire please contact Kay James by email or telephone 07827 882 080
The Main Course
The original Expert Patient Programme is for anyone over the age of 18 years old who is living with a long-term condition, regardless of what it is. People with conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, MS, ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, cancer, Parkinsons etc have all benefited.
What Does the Course Offer?
The course is about learning important skills to:
- Manage symptoms
- Deal with stress, depression and low self-image
- Manage pain and fatigue
- Relax
- Eat healthily
- Work alongside health professional in deciding the best for them
- Plan for the future.
What Does the Course Involve?
Six weekly sessions, each lasting two and a half hours (including breaks). It is varied; there are short talks, and opportunities for participants to share ideas and to make individual action plans to improve their health and well-being.
The course is led by volunteer tutors who themselves have long-term conditions.
What Does it Cost?
The course is free. It only requires a commitment to attend regularly.
Available Courses
The course consists of 2.5 hour sessions which run over a six week period. The next courses we have available are:
- Date: 22nd October - 26th November
- Time: Wednesday 9.30 - 12.00
- Venue: Longford Village Hall
- Date: 8th January - 12th February
- Time: Thursday 9.30 - 12.00
- Venue: University of Gloucestershire (Oxstalls Campus)
- Date: 16th February - 23rd March
- Time: Monday 9.30 - 12.00
- Venue: Matson Baptist Church, Matson, Gloucester
- Date: 14th April - 19th May
- Time: Tuesday 10.00 - 12.30
- Venue: Venue to be confirmed
Further Information
New for 2008 - Carers Course
‘Looking After Me’ is 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 to take more control of your situation and make a difference to your life. 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.
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
Available Courses
The next courses we have available are:
- Date: 16th February - 23rd March
- Time: Monday 9.30 - 12.00
- Venue: Baytree Nursing Home, Prestbury, Cheltenham
- Date: 26th February - 2nd April
- Time: Thursday 9.30 - 12.00
- Venue: Spring Centre in Quedgeley, Gloucester
Further Information
