News from The Crossing
"Staying Well" Expert Patients Programme
EXCITING NEWS FOR BASSETLAW PEOPLE LIVING WITH LONG TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS "STAYING WELL" EXPERT PATIENTS PROGRAMME.
EXCITING NEWS FOR BASSETLAW PEOPLE LIVING WITH LONG TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS. "Staying Well" EXPERT PATIENTS PROGRAMME: WE ARE NOW ABLE TO OFFER SIX WEEK COURSES AT The Crossing. Worksop FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH LONG TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS: starts: 4th SEPTEMBER 11TH 2008, Finishes 16TH OCTOBER 2008.
Venue: The Crossing Centre, Newcastle Street, Worksop, S80 2AT. Contact: Peter Firkins, Telephone: 01777 709650
Starts: 4th November 2008 Finishes 9th December 2008. Venue: The Crossing Centre, Newcastle Street, Worksop, S80 2AT. Contact: Peter Firkins, Telephone: 01777 709650
Starts 13th January 2009 Finishes 17th FEBRUARY 2009 Venue: The Crossing Centre, Newcastle Street, Worksop, S80 2AT Contact: Peter Firkins, Telephone: 01777 709650
Places Limited By APPLICATION ONLY.
What is the " STAYING WELL" Expert Patients Programme?
The STAYING WELL Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is a 'chronic disease self-management course' (CDSMC), a new government initiative to help people living with long term conditions maintain their health and improve their quality of life through a self management course led by someone else with a long term health condition. Self management programmes have been running in the USA since the 1970s and came to this country in 1994. Over this time a substantial body of clinical research and experiential feedback has built up testifying to its efficacy. The primary aim is not to impart medical information but to facilitate the development of self management skills, such as problem solving and goal setting. The course has been designed to help people with a chronic or long-term illness regain as much control over their physical and emotional well-being as possible. It complements existing health care programmes and treatments, empowering participants to be more informed and better able to develop partnerships with their medical practitioners. "...empowering participants to be more informed and better able to develop partnerships with their medical practitioners." What is Special about the Programme? It is a generic, time-limited course, suitable for people who have any long-term health condition. For example: Arthritis, Heart Disease, Bad Backs,Stroke, Depression, MS, Epilepsy, ME, Schizophrenia, Fibromyalagia, Diabetes, HIV, etc etc indeed any condition that impacts on a persons life. TheTutors most volunteers are themselves living with long-term conditions. Tutors use a detailed, scripted manual, underpinned by ongoing research. There is a strong emphasis on participants setting practical and achievable action plans that are evaluated weekly. The course is informal but structured allowing an equal amount of time for discussion and information. What does the Course involve? The course consists of one 2½ hour session once a week for six weeks, the maximum number of participants on each course is 16, plus two tutors who also live with a long-term condition. The areas covered include: Goal setting/action planning Problem solving Relaxation/exercise Symptom management techniques Fatigue management Dealing with emotions Communication Medication Living wills/power of attorney Healthy Eating Distraction Self-talk Guided imagery The course is interative, informal and friendly. Research shows that people who have attended the course: Have greater confidence in dealing with their illness Experience less pain and fatigue, depression and anxiety Are more likely to continue with exercise and relaxation techniques Make fewer visits to their GP Have better communication with health professionals Why does the course work so well? Because individuals with different conditions share many of the same problems, no matter what illness individuals live with it is often the consequences of that illness that are more problematic than the condition itself. When you can’t do what you used to be able to and your family and friends don’t understand, anger, frustration, loss of job or mobility, depression and pain can so easily become a cycle of despair. Feedback from participants countrywide has been excellent and although this is something very new for the NHS it is something people want. Yes, the course is structured but there is time for short discussions to help us learn from each other and gain support and encouragement.
FURTHER DETAILS / APPLICATION FORMS / PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL CONTACT- Contact: PETER FIRKINS Telephone: 01777 709650 STAYING WELL PROGRAMME RETFORD ACTION CENTRE 18 WEST STREET RETFORD NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DN22 6ES
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