Rebrand - Expert Patients Programme (EPP) Wales
Following a period of consultation the Expert Patients Programme (EPP) in
EPP Cymru will now be known as Education Programmes for Patients to reflect development of EPP to reach a wider audience in the drive to extend self care education to patients and staff.
A menu of self care modules will be developed in collaboration with Health Boards and the Voluntary Sector. It is envisaged that all of these modules will be accredited with Agored Cymru. This work is underway and to date includes development of modules for:
- Chronic Conditions Self-management
- Looking After Me - a Course for Carers
- Mild mental health difficulties
- Lung Disease
- Pain
- Presentation Skills for EPP staff and volunteer tutors
- Assessor skills for EPP staff and volunteer tutors
EPP Cymru provides free self-help courses for people living with a long-term health condition
Research has found that people with long-term health conditions experience similar day-to-day challenges, including tiredness, pain, feeling alone and depression.
By taking part in the EPP, you will learn new coping skills, improve the skills you have, share experiences and learn together. This will take place in a relaxed atmosphere, with a group of people who all have long term health conditions.
Anyone with a long term health condition can decide to come on a course. You will have help to plan and make changes to your daily routine that will add to your overall wellbeing.
Many people have benefited from this course and have enjoyed meeting other people with similar problems. Many report feeling more confident.
Some people gain so much confidence that they apply to become a voluntary tutor and, after a four day training course, help to deliver some of the courses in their area.
The course offers information on:
- techniques to help you manage tiredness, pain, and the emotional changes brought about by your condition
- how to develop skills to deal with fear, anger, frustration and depression
- how to communicate most effectively with friends, family and healthcare professionals
- how to keep healthy through diet, exercise and relaxation
- ................ and much more.
The course is delivered by two tutors, at least one of whom will have a long-term health condition. Courses are held at suitable venues throughout Cardiff
What participants have said about EPP Cymru
- It has given me ideas of how to manage my condition better, how to solve problems better.
- I feel more relaxed, less fatigue and I am trying to make action plans around my long term illnesses and trying to achieve them.
- Sharing a problem can put it into perspective and get another angle on it. The course has been well run and sympathetically handled and this has helped to give me more incentive to help myself.
- This course has increased my motivation and has given me tools to use in managing my condition, particularly preparing an action plan.
- I have learnt new skills – relaxation and breathing - communication.
- Acquired a great deal of information – in a relaxed and relaxing atmosphere, a positive and enjoyable experience.
We also have a course for Carers called Looking After Me (LAM). This is for people looking after family members or friends. When we become a carer, it is very easy to forget about our own health needs. This course reminds us how we can stay physically and mentally well through the stresses and strains of caring.
Comment from a carer after attending the 6 week LAM course:
"At first I was reluctant to take the LAM course but I'm glad I did. Why? because the course teaches you to deal with the roller coaster of emotions that carers experience everyday, and that it is important to take care of your health. Both of which many carers neglect. I have also learned to value myself, many thanks BH"
More information can be found on the website www.eppwales.org, or ring the EPP Co-ordinator / Trainer on 029 2035 0620.
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