PATIENTS who gained practical skills which have helped them to better manage their long-term health problems reunited in Okehampton last week to share their experience of the Expert Patient Programme. The Devon PCT-funded course ran for six weeks last autumn and those who successfully completed the course returned to the community room at The Glen on for a refresher. During the course, which ran for one afternoon a week, the eight participants learned about better breathing, fitness and exercise, healthy eating and making treatment decisions and communicating effectively with health care professionals. One of the participants on the course, Ken Owen, who lives in Okehampton, said: 'I was a bit dubious at first about the course, but it has been very good. 'I used to find it difficult to walk, but this course has helped and now I can walk down to town and buy a paper and do the shopping.' The Expert Patient Programme began in Mid Devon from a pilot scheme four years ago and has so far helped around 100 people to manage their long-term conditions more effectively. Carmel Fanconi, co-ordinator for the Expert Patient Programme, said one of the key factors of the course was about empowering patients and giving them confidence to discuss their conditions with doctors and consultants. Carmel is launching another course next month, specifically designed for carers, entitled 'Looking after Me'. The free course is designed for adults who care for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability. The course aims to help carers make time to look after their own health needs and take more control of their situation. The testimonies from previous participants of the course shows how helpful it can be. 'I was feeling very depressed but the course helped me find ways to think more positively. I have been able to plan for the future and feel less tired and drained,' said one carer. Another said: 'I started the course as a lone carer and left at the end of the course with so many new friends.' The course begins on Tuesday, February 27, at 10.30am, finishing the morning with a light lunch at 1pm. The venue is Okehampton Community Hospital and the course runs every Tuesday for six weeks, except for week five, when the course will be switched to Thursday afternoon, March 29. To reserve a place, call 0800 0730792, leaving your name and telephone number. Once you have registered an interest you will be allocated a space on the next available course.
