Expert Patients Reunion

250 patients from Walsall will be getting together tomorrow 24 February to celebrate completing a Self Care Management Expert Patients Programme (EPP) run by NHS Walsall. The aim of the event is to bring together individuals who have  taken part in the programme to share their views and experiences about the benefits they have gained from learning new skills to manage their condition. 

Louise Mabley, Head of Patient & Public Engagement for NHS Walsall, said: “We want to help people with long term health conditions improve their quality of life by learning new self care skills and techniques and we are committed to delivering more courses to meet the needs of the people of Walsall.  The reunion is a way of celebrating the continuing success of the EPP in bringing people together to learn and share their experiences.”

Mandy Lewis, EPP Volunteer Lay Tutor, said: “Before this course I thought I was alone and then I realised I wasn’t. Now I have made lots of new friends from the local community.”

There will be a market place and presentations by a variety of health, public sector and private sector professionals where information will be provided on what services and support are on offer in Walsall.  

The EPP is a course for anyone who has a long term health condition and who would like to find new ways of managing their illness more positively in order to improve their quality of life.   The course is free and consists of 6 weekly sessions – each lasting two and half hours.  It is lead by two tutors who have themselves have long term health conditions and have previously attended an Expert Patients Course prior to becoming a tutor.   Weekly sessions provide information on specific topics such as managing symptoms, relaxation techniques, diet, exercise and many more.

If you are interested in attending a Self Care Management Programme please contact the team on 01922 858673 or email selfcare@walsall.nhs.uk