Taking control

Patients have been finding successful new ways of living with the challenges of long-term health conditions.

When Anne Lewis suffered a motorcycle accident aged 17 it affected her life for the next 40 years.
At the time, the incident damaged bones in her left knee and caused severe bruising, but as the years passed by she developed inflamed arthritis in the joint which left her in constant pain and discomfort.
For the past two years Anne, who is now aged 58, has needed a stick to help her walk and the condition became so tough to cope with that she had to give up her work as a housing officer.
The mother of two grown up sons was spending more and more time at her east Hull home which made her feel low and frustrated.
But taking part in an Expert Patients Programme, run by the Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust, brought about a major change in her condition.
"The course turned my life around," she says.
"It gave me the motivation and confidence to take control of my situation.
"I decided that I wasn't prepared to put up with my condition any longer, and I started to look at what treatment might be possible.
"The course made me confident enough to speak to my doctor again about and explain how I was feeling.
"As a result I was referred to see a consultant, and because of the profound effect that my poor health was having on the quality of my life, this opened the door to the treatment I wanted."
Anne's new found confidence in being able to speak honestly to health professionals led to her receiving a knee replacement operation, which was due to take place last month.
As a result of surgery she is now hoping for a full recovery and to be able to walk unaided and eventually return to work.

Lifestyle changes

Anne Lewis had an electric bath chair fitted in her home to help her cope with her disability

Whatever the health condition a patient is facing, the Expert Patients Programme gives them the coping skills to manage their lives more effectively.
The programme takes place once a week for six weeks for people with long-term and acute illnesses and is free to join.
Some of the people who have already attended are living with a wide variety of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, thyroid problems, asthma, amputations, osteoporosis, depression, anaemia, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome and back trouble.
Last year 90 Hull people completed the programme and more courses will be held over the coming months.
Among the subjects covered are:

• Dealing with pain and extreme tiredness
• Coping with feelings of depression, stress and low self image
• Finding ways to relax
• Healthy eating and exercise
• Communicating more effectively with family, friends, carers, and health professionals
• Planning for the future

The aims of the programme are to help people:

• Feel more confident and in control of their lives
• Successfully manage their treatment and health conditions together with health professionals
• Understand the impact of their illness on themselves and their family
• Use their new skills and knowledge to improve their quality of life

Enrol now

"The programme is an opportunity to meet other Hull people with health problems and to share experiences," says Andy Coyne of the Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust and the co-ordinator the Expert Patients Programme.
"Patients tell us they find the programme helpful and worthwhile, and that it gives them the skills to prevent their health conditions from dictating their lives.
"Furthermore, the teaching sessions are run by volunteers who themselves are living with long term health problems so there is an understanding there and the tutors are speaking from first-hand experience.
"As a result, it's not a doctor or another health professional fronting the courses but a member of the public whom patients can really identify with.
"We try to make the programme fun and informative and directly relate it to people's needs."

info

Places on the courses are limited and bookings must be made in advance. For more information and to book places please call Andy Coyne on 344297

Working in partnership
Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust tel. (01482) 344700