Expert Patient Programme (EPP)

What is it?

The programme is a free National Health Service Wales wide initiative available to people over 18 years of age who are living with any long term health condition or caring for a person with a long term health condition.

The programme is run in local community venues over six consecutive weekly sessions of 2 and a half hours each. A group will usually consist of between 8 and 16 participants.

What does the Programme Cover?

It is designed to teach valuable skills and looks at ways to improve how a person deals with the effects of their long term health condition. Over the six weeks the tutors will show ways to deal with stress/anxiety, managing pain, low self-image, eating regularly and healthily, learning to relax, planning for the future and enhancing communications skills. The course also offers participants the opportunity to train to become a volunteer tutor enabling someone to help others in a similar situation to themsleves.

What is classed as a Long Term Health Condition?

Asthma, Bronchitis, Cancer, Arthritis, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Excema, Psoriasis, Cerabal Palsey, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Skeletal Problems, Back Pain, Sciatica, Mental Health Problems, Epilepsy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohnes Disease, Deafness, Parkinsons Disease, Stroke and many more.

How to get on the Course?

If you have a long term health condition or care for someone who has one you are entitled to enrol on the course. You do not need to be referred and the course is completely free.

Testimonials from People Around Wales

"The Expert Patient Programme has changed my whole outlook, I was down when I came on the course, I was unable to do gardening or just tidying my house up was an effort and now I feel confident that I can now do anything I like so long as I plan and take my time."
A patient on EPP in Blaenau Gwent, Oct 2006

"About two years ago just at the time when my confidence was at rock bottom, I heard about the Expert Patients Programme Wales, and decided to train to become a volunteer tutor. I found the course very empowering. It helped me to understand that feelings of helplessness and frustration with my illnesses were quite normal. The course gave me an opportunity to learn new skills to manage my symptoms, which helped me to move on and to minimise the impact of my long-term health condition on my daily life."
A patient on EPP in Neath Port Talbot

If you are interested in finding out more about the programme please contact the Expert Patient Coordinator/Trainer on 01685 353900 or log onto www.eppwales.org