PEOPLE with long-term medical conditions are being recruited as expert patients to help fellow sufferers.

An Expert Patient Programme starting in Weardale follows successful projects by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, in Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle.

Developed through a national Department of Health scheme, it offers courses on coping with long-term conditions including arthritis, asthma, back pain, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and mental illnesses.

An awareness session for people interested in the programme is being held at Weardale Community Hospital on Tuesday.

The programme is free and runs for six weeks alongside medical treatments.

Benefits can include reduction in symptoms and pain, greater self-confidence and better quality of life.

Topics addressed include finding information, making action plans, pain management, communicating the health professionals and coping with depression. Volunteers will be offered training.

Katharine Humby, Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) manager with the primary care trust, said: "The Expert Patient Programme is a fantastic scheme because it is all about people helping other people with the same illnesses and conditions, and sharing their experiences and difficulties to improve their health for themselves.

"Research has shown that the overall benefits of Expert Patient Programmes, or user-led self-management course for people with long-term conditions or illnesses, are numerous. They can help reduce severe symptoms, improve quality of life and increase patients' confidence.

"Doctors and medical staff have also found that the programmes help improve relationships with patients and actually reduce consultation time or frequency of visits, as the patient feels more empowered and in control."

Contact Katharine Humby for information and a registration form on (01388) 458835.