Expert Patients Programme

Do you live with a long term health condition? If “yes”, please read on...

We offer a free course for anyone who lives with a long-term health condition - it’s called the Expert Patients Programme.

So, What is the Expert Patients Programme?

The programme is designed for anyone who lives with a long-term health condition, such as diabetes, asthma, MS, ME, arthritis, COPD and many more.

It is a course which encourages people to share how they manage their condition. Everyone learns from each other.

The tutors are living with long-term health conditions themselves.

It helps give people more control over the day to day management of their condition.

It helps to develop partnerships with people providing healthcare.

What does the course involve

The course is six sessions and each session lasts 2.5 hours. It is run over six consecutive weeks.

The course offers a ‘toolkit’ of ideas including how to:

deal with emotions such as anger, fear and frustration
make relaxation techniques and exercise work for you
deal with fatigue
work in partnership with your healthcare team
find help and support

We also share ideas about:

medication usage
depression
nutrition
living wills
communication with friends and family

What else do I need to know?

The Expert Patients Programme has been based on more than 30 years experience.

Sessions are run by people who have attended an Expert Patients Programme course, found it helpful, and have then trained as facilitators themselves. This means that everyone who is involved lives with a long-term health condition and therefore understands the ups and downs it can bring.

The course complements other healthcare programmes and treatments and doesn’t offer specific advice or guidance around individual conditions.

There is a quality assurance framework in place to ensure that the same course is delivered in Sheffield as in other parts of the country.

It’s FREE!

Sessions include tea, coffee and breaks.

A friendly welcome guaranteed.

What if I have specific support needs?

We will do our best to support you to attend. Courses are always held in accessible venues and we can organise transport for you if required.

Does it work?

The simple answer is “yes”! The Expert Patients Programme has been based on more than 20 years experience in the UK, US, Australia, China and other countries.

Research has shown that people who have attended courses: Feel more able to manage their condition; Have higher energy levels; and feel their quality of life has improved.