THE Derwentside Primary Care Trust is launching its sixth expert patients programme - aimed at helping people with long-term medical conditions.

The new programme will be a morning course, running from 10am to 12.30pm, and will be held in Consett Medical Centre from April 20.

After the success of previous expert patient programmes, held in Stanley and Leadgate and supported and co-ordinated by Derwentside PCT, it was decided to hold the next course in Consett.

The programme will help people with medical conditions such as arthritis, asthma, back pain, diabetes, heart conditions, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy to help them manage the day-to-day problems caused by their illness.

The courses are designed to run alongside medical treatments and some of the benefits can include a reduction in symptoms, less pain, greater self-confidence and a better quality of life.

The courses are free of charge and will run for six consecutive weeks, covering topics such as finding information, making action plans, pain management, communicating with health professionals and coping with depression.

The programme is led by people with long term-conditions. Volunteers will be given the opportunity to get accredited training to enable them to deliver self-management courses to others in similar circumstances.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the programme should contact Pam Gwynn on (01207) 594457.