Press release – 26 July 2018
2018/047

Reunion celebrates helping patients with long term health conditions across Herefordshire

More than 50 Herefordshire patients celebrated a life changing course today, July 26, thanks to a scheme run by Wye Valley NHS Trust.

The reunion of the Expert Patient Programme, which helps people with long term health conditions turn their life around, took place at the Kindle Centre in Hereford, and was attended by course participants and volunteers tutors, who themselves are living with a long term health condition. 

Sharon Pickersgill, who attended the event and has been a volunteer tutor on the programme for 11 years, said: “I have found the Expert Patient Programme a very rewarding experience.  It has helped me to find ways of living with my condition and helping other people to start their EPP journey, like I did 15 years ago, and I have met lots of lovely people.”

The free six week course aims to teach people new skills to manage their condition. It’s delivered by tutors who have been through the programme and also have on-going health conditions.

Sue Tobey, Expert Patients Programme Co-ordinator at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “Our reunion is a fantastic opportunity to congratulate the participants who have completed the Expert Patient Programme, thank our volunteer tutors who dedicate their time and experience to help others, and to come together and share our experiences.

“We have helped empower people who previously felt their life goals could not be achieved due to their health.  This course really does help to transform many people’s lives by providing new practical ways of managing their condition, along with emotional support, to empower people to enjoy a more independent better quality of life.

“If you have a long term health condition, such as arthritis, diabetes, depression, multiple sclerosis, or any other condition that cannot be cured, and wish to come along to the course, please call Sue Tobey on 01432 364463 or email sue.tobey@wvt.nhs.uk “

Photo

Photograph – EPP participants and tutors pay tribute to scheme 
with Helen Byard - deputy director of nursing at WVT (first on the left on second row), Sharon Pickersgill - volunteer tutor (fourth from left on second row), and Sue Tobey, Expert Patient Programme Co-ordinator (fifth from left on second row).

Ends

Note to editors:

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a provider health services across Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve. We are the leading provider of health care in Herefordshire.

By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.

With an estimated annual turnover of around £180 million, we employ around 2,700 plus staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.

For further information please contact:

Wye valley NHS Trust communications team 01432 372928 or 01432 355444 x5105.