2008 Author: Talkback

The Expert Patients Programme(EPP) is an NHS self-management programme delivered for and by lay people, those who know the most about day-to-day problems of living with long-term conditions, the ‘expert patients’.

Self-managmeent - moving from patient to person

Living with long-term conditions for the people affected and their families can often mean physical or psychological difficulties and reduced quality of life.

The approach of self-management has been pioneered over the last 20 years in the United States, by Professor Kate Lorig of Stanford University and, more recently, been piloted successfully by a number of voluntary sector organisations in the UK. Studies in the US and the UK have shown positive effects on people's quality of life.

The Expert Patients Programme
(EPP) is an NHS self-management programme delivered for and by lay people, those who know the most about day-to-day problems of living with long-term conditions, the ‘expert patients’.

How does EPP work?

They all have something in common and that is that they all have a long-term health condition.

The programme, easy and simple to follow, encourages group and individual participation and is facilitated by trained tutors with direct experience of a long-term illness.

People who attend are from all walks of life and all ages. They all have something in common and that is that they all have a long-term health condition.

You do not have to be referred by your GP or other healthcare providers – anyone living with one or more longterm health conditions can attend.

When you attend the programme you will be introduced to how to:

• recognise and act upon on your symptoms;
• learn problem solving techniques;
• action plan everyday jobs (even going on holiday);
• learn techniques that can reduce stress;
• use your medication correctly;
• get the most out of health services, by using them as effectively as possible;
• manage the distress and depression that can sometimes come with a chronic illness;
• managing relationships with professionals and family;
• take adequate physical exercise and maintain a healthy diet;
• access and use community resources.

How does it run?

• The programme is run over six weeks – two and half hours per week (sessions are spaced to enable participants to practice new skills).
• Between 10 and 16 people take part in each programme.
• The programme takes place Monday to Friday during the day locally (sometimes in the evening/weekend).
• They are organised and run by trained tutors with direct experience of a long-term illness.
• The programme is designed to be friendly, informative and easy to follow.
• Programmes are ‘FREE OF CHARGE’.

All programmes are delivered so that you learn at your own pace and there is no pressure. The tutors help set simple ‘action plans’ that will fit in with people’s lifestyles and enable them to ...

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