PEOPLE are being urged to take part in a scheme to help patients cope with long-term medical conditions.

The Easington Primary Care Trust, east Durham, which is responsible for services such as GPs and health centres, is setting up an Expert Patient Programme.

The programme, a national scheme developed by the Department of Health, is designed to help people with problems such as arthritis, back pain, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and mental illness.

The programme will be led by people with long-term conditions who will be trained to offer advice and help to other sufferers so that they learn how to cope better with their condition.

Programme courses are designed to run alongside medical treatment and include advice on finding out information, talking to doctors and coping with depression.

Tomorrow, the trust is holding a launch event at The Glebe Centre, Murton, from 1pm to 3pm, to raise awareness of the programme among doctors and nurses.

People interested in joining the programme or applying to run the help courses - accredited training will be provided - can also register their interest. For details or to attend the course in the New Year, call Claire Mathews on 0191-554 5724.