Walsall patients to help themselves

Walsall residents who suffer from long term health conditions can learn how to control their own health and live a better quality of life thanks to the Expert Patient Programme. (EPP) The course, which is run by Walsall Teaching Primary Care Trust (Walsall tPCT), will be held at 2pm on the 23 February at Moxley Peoples Centre. It covers topics such as managing symptoms, relaxation techniques, diet, exercise and how to communicate with care practitioners.

Louise Mabley, Patient Advice and Liaison Service Co-ordinator for Walsall tPCT, said: “Expert patients are people who have a long-term health condition. Understanding and managing these conditions means that people are able to take more control over their health, leading to an improved quality of life. The Expert Patient course is about people's attitude and lifestyle, as well as what they can do to take care of themselves when they have a long term health problem.   The course supports people and helps to increase their confidence and belief in themselves, meaning they can make decisions about their health and do more of the things they want to do.”

Phyl Palmer, Expert Patient Programme Course Tutor, said: “The first day I went to an Expert Patient course, I knew I had found what I needed - support and a pass back to life. Since being sick I lost skills I used to take for granted, like problem solving and planning. The course gave me the permission and confidence to take back my own life and not rely on other people all the time. Sometimes the person themselves doesn’t always see the need for the course it can be a relative or a friend who can see the benefit and tells them about it’

There are two further courses being run on the 27 February at Old Hall Peoples Partnership, Bentley at 10.00am and 27^th March at Beechdale Health Centre, at 2.00pm. For further information about the course or to book a place call 01922 619980.