Expert Patients Programme Community Interest Company

Tel: 0845 606 6040
Web: www.expertpatients.co.uk

The Expert Patients' Programme (EPP) is a six week course for people with chronic or long-term conditions. The course is delivered by trained and accredited tutors who are also living with a long term health condition. It aims to give people the confidence to take more responsibility and self-manage their health, while encouraging them to work collaboratively with health and social care professionals. The EPP does not provide health information or treatment, nor does it address clinical needs. Course topics include healthy eating, dealing with pain and extreme tiredness, relaxation techniques and coping with feelings of depression.
The data from approximately 1,000 EPP course questionnaires showed that, four to six months after completing the course:

• GP consultations decreased by 7%
• Outpatient visits decreased by 10%
• A&E attendances decreased by 16%
• Pharmacy visits increased by 18%

In addition to this, key research findings from a randomised trial carried out by the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre found that course participants have:

• Improved partnerships with doctors
• Increased confidence to manage their condition
• Improved quality of life and psychological wellbeing
• Increased energy
• A high satisfaction with the course

The EPP is established as a Community Interest Company (EPP CIC) to expand the work already undertaken across England. The aim is to increase EPP capacity from 12,000 course places a year to over 100,000 by 2012. The EPP CIC has been working hard to develop new courses designed to meet people’s different needs, including those in marginalised groups. Some of the other courses available include carers courses, a Persistent Pain Programme, Staying Positive (workshops for teenagers living with long term health conditions), New Beginnings (Mental Health) as well as several disease specific courses.