PEOPLE with long-term medical conditions have been invited to take part in a course aimed at helping them cope.

The expert patient programme, which is run by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, will be held at the Brandon Community Centre, Brandon, over six consecutive weeks from Friday, January 30.

It is part of a national Department of Health scheme to help people cope with problems such as arthritis, asthma, back pain, diabetes, heart conditions and mental ill-health.

The courses will run alongside medical treatments and include advice on finding out information, talking to doctors and depression.

Two patients who took part in the programme have been trained to lead the courses, bringing their own insight to the initiative.

Senior expert patient trainer Stephen Wilkinson said: "Since the launch event last July, the levels of interest and support for the programme have been extremely positive.

"Many participants that have attended the first three courses felt that the expert patient programme constituted a much-needed lifeline for those living with long-term conditions."

Public involvement manager Fiona Anderson said: "Expert patient programmes can help reduce severe symptoms, improve quality of life, increase patient's confidence and enable people to learn and offer support to each other."

Anyone interested is asked to contact Mr Wilkinson on 0191-301 1521 or Ms Anderson on 0191-333 3382.