Expert Patients Programme

What is the Expert Patients Programme?

The Expert Patients Programme is for anyone with a long-term health condition or illness who wishes to learn skills for controlling and improving their health. The courses are held locally and are tailored to the needs of the people who attend.

What will I learn?

  • Ways to manage your symptoms and improve how you feel
  • Relaxation
  • Better breathing
  • Healthy eating and nutrition
  • Exercise, how to build your level of fitness, flexibility and strength
  • Dealing with anger, fear, frustration, isolation, fatigue and depression
  • Using problem-solving skills in your daily life
  • Making informed choices
  • How to make plans that work for you
  • Working with your health care professionals such as GPs and district nurses

What about my treatment or medication?

The course will not affect any treatment that you may be having, it is a way of looking at your health in different ways.

How will the course help me?

Most people who have attended the courses have found them to be very enjoyable. The courses have helped people to look at their health conditions in other ways and improve their quality of life.

What will I have to do?

You will take part in group discussions or activities and individual exercises.

How often will I have to come?

Once a week for 2.5 hours for six weeks.  There is a half hour break in each session when refreshments will be available.

What will happen at the end of the course?

After finishing the course you will receive a certificate to show you have attended the Expert Patient Programme. You will also receive information about the EPP support group which runs regularly across Kirklees.and information about becoming an Expert Patients Programme volunteer tutor

For further information about a course in your area:

Contact Joanne Gould, Expert Patients Programme Co-ordinator on 01484 464441 or email Joanne.Gould@kirklees.nhs.uk  

 

Or you can write to:

FREEPOST RSHB-GRJU-ALSL
Expert Patients Programme
NHS Kirklees
Broad Lea House
Bradley Business Park
Dyson Wood Way
Bradley
Huddersfield
HD2 1GZ

Get Food Wise and Exercise Programme

Who is the course for?

Anyone who has completed an Expert Patients Programme.

What will the course consist of?

  • Food wise education session – covering a wide range of topics including portion sizes, eating out and take aways
  • Getting weighed (weekly)
  • Getting measured (four weekly)
  • Exercise with activity to suit you
  • Refreshment break

What will I get out of it?

The course provides tried and tested exercises with supervision which have been shown to benefit people with long-term health conditions and their carers. Whether you take regular exercise or have never exercised before, this is the course for you.

What will be expected of me?

  • To attend a registration session so that the PALS Officer can meet you and discuss your individual needs
  • Attend 9 weekly sessions of 2 hours
  • To join in group discussions and activities and do individual exercises
  • To meet people, have fun and feel better

To find out more and join:

Julie Lawes, Expert  Patients Programme  Assistant co-coordinator/ Team Administrator on 01484 464440 or email julie.lawes@kirklees.nhs.uk