Littlehampton course offers patients hope for the future

The Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is run by the NHS and the next course starts in Littlehampton at the end of next week.

It provides opportunities for adults living with any long-term condition such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, MS, ME, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, etc., to develop new life-skills, ultimately allowing them to self-manage their condition more effectively on a day-to-day basis.

It also offers people an opportunity to become part of a group and meet other people in similar situations to themselves.

A spokeswoman said: “Self-management is seen as an integral, even central, part of the system of care provided to people with chronic conditions. The EPP is based on developing patients’ confidence and motivation to use their own skills, information and professional services to take effective control of life with a chronic condition.”

The course is led by two fully qualified (but not medically trained) volunteer tutors who themselves are living with long-term conditions and are positive role models for the group.

Specific health conditions are not discussed during the course, which instead focuses on the common symptoms of long-term conditions. The size of the group taking part is usually between 10 and 15 patients.

Topics covered will include:

l symptom management (pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, stress);

l communication;

l relaxation;

l action planning and problem solving;

l dealing with difficult emotions;

l nutrition and exercise;

l medication;

l learning how to get the most out of life.

The Littlehampton course starts on Friday, May 17, and continues for the following five Fridays until June 21. All the sessions are from 10am-12.30pm, including a break, when refreshments are provided.

The venue is the Look & Sea Centre, 63-65 Surrey Street.

Anyone who is interested in taking part in the EPP course does not need to be referred by their GP – it is open to anyone with a long-term health condition.

Places can be booked by contacting Susan Latter of the EPP team, telephone 01403 222700 ext 7547 or email [email protected]