People with long term health problems to benefit from new courses

6:19am Wednesday 14th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

SPECIAL courses are being organised to help people cope with long term medical conditions.

The six week Expert Patient Programme (EPP) courses, organised by the Mid Essex Primary Care Trust (PCT), will provide useful tips to help people self-manage their conditions.

The courses can benefit those with a range of problems including arthritis, ME, MS, Parkinson's, back pain, depression and diabetes.

Carol Roe, EPP co-ordinator said: "Those who attend can learn a range of techniques which will help them to manage their condition and live life to the full.

"Feedback from previous courses has shown us that those who attend reap the benefits long into the future."

Self-help techniques covered in the courses include stress reduction, tips on healthy eating, exercise and the correct use of medication and problem solving.

Those taking part will be encouraged to draw up action plans and will be given advice on how to get the most out of health services.

The courses are free of charge and will take place once a week over a six week period at venues local to the Maldon, Chelmsford and Braintree area.

Each session lasts for two and a half hours.

A course for people who care for those with long-term medical conditions has also been organised.

The "looking after me" sessions will take place in June at St Peter's Hospital in Maldon.

For more information about any of the courses, or an application form contact Carol Roe on 01376 333286.