PATIENTS who have taken part in a course to help them manage their illnesses attended a celebration event.

About 20 members of the Sedgefield Expert Patient Programme were awarded certificates for completing the course.

Gloria Wills, acting chairwoman of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust presented the certificates.

The programme, supported by the trust and the Pioneering Care Partnership, was launched in the first wave of the national pilot scheme in 2002.

Since then, more than 100 people have completed the six-week course.

Four volunteer tutors, who also live with chronic illnesses, have been recruited, trained and are fully accredited.

The self-management course is free and is run in the community for people living with long-term health conditions including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, heart disease, back pain, mental illness, asthma and HIV.

The course follows a workshop-style format, in which tutors introduce a topic and encourage the participants to discuss the issue and problem-solve to find solutions.

Some of the benefits include reduction in depression, improved energy levels, reduced pain intensity and increased confidence.

Anyone interested in joining the next programme, starting next month, is asked to contact Maxine Lee or Claire Kippin on (01325) 321234.