Living with long term illness

2:40pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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ADULTS living with a long-term illness are invited to a free course in Evesham which could help them.

The Expert Patient Programme, which runs courses across the county, aims to help them manage their condition, build on their own individual coping skills and improve the quality of their lives.

It is aimed at people with a long-term illness such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, MS, arthritis, ME or Parkinson's.

Worcestershire Primary Care Trust is planning a free courses in Evesham in May and June 2008 consisting of two-and-a-half hours, one day each week, for six weeks. The courses are run by volunteers who themselves have a long-term condition.

Research has shown that whatever the illness, the things patients have to deal with on a day-to-day basis are similar - tiredness, pain, lack of confidence and self esteem.

The programme aims to tackle this by giving people self-help skills and the opportunity to share experiences within a small friendly group. The course also complements traditional medical approaches, giving it the backing from healthcare professionals.

Sally Harvey, a volunteer tutor, said: "I would urge people with a long term condition to consider undertaking this course.

"I did it about two-and-a-half years' ago and my life has been transformed. I found it difficult to go outside and get in my car let alone drive it - I now travel all over Worcestershire as a volunteer tutor and have had a new lease of life. We limit the course to about 16 to 20 people at one time so that we can work individually with people within the group."

For more information or to book a place on a course, please contact: Annette Jaep on 01527 507055. We welcome all bookings and interest as further courses are planned.