Anyone with a long term health condition knows only too well that anything to help make life easier is as good as a helping hand.
If you feel that your condition is taking over your life and you’d like find ways to help manage it yourself and improve the quality of your life, the Expert Patient Programme might be just what you are looking for.
It is a free, confidential course for anyone suffering with long-term health problems and aims to encourage people to play a more active part in managing their own condition.
The programme runs over a period of six weeks, with weekly two hour sessions in a relaxed environment where you can talk to experts about how your condition affects you.
Carol Alstrom, Chief Nurse at the Island’s NHS said:
“People living with a long-term health problem often feel like their illness controls their life and can feel frustrated with feeling unwell. The Expert Patient Programme is an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about their own health problem and get the information and support they need to be able to manage their illness as well as meet others facing similar challenges and share experiences.”
The Expert Patient Programme teaches important skills which help people to:
# deal with pain and fatigue
# cope with feelings of depression
# manage symptoms
# problem solve
# relaxation techniques and how to exercise safely
# eat more healthily
# plan for a better future
If you would like to find out more about the Expert Patient Programme or enrol onto the next series of workshops which begin on 27 January 2009, telephone Jo Cram, Patient and Public Involvement Co-ordinator, NHS Isle of Wight on 01983 534175 or email: [email protected].
A course also starts in June – read for more details.
Image: I A McDonnell
