National Peer Support Service (EPP Cymru)

Christine Roach and Jules Godden

NHS Executive

Education Programme for Patients (EPP) Cymru is a leading provider of patient education programmes (20 years). EPP Cymru provides education and resources to promote self-management of chronic health conditions, empowering individuals for healthier lifestyles and to make informed healthcare choices, reducing pressures on NHS services.

EPP Cymru aligns with the Welsh Government’s long-term plan ‘A Healthier Wales’ (2018), by supporting people to manage their health and wellbeing. EPP Cymru embraces a prudent approach consistent with the principles of value-based healthcare. EPP Cymru collaborates with health boards to deliver self-management courses, using expert patient knowledge and volunteers.

EPP Cymru addresses the evolving needs of Wales’s ageing population with chronic conditions. The programme is as relevant now as it has ever been, providing part of the future solution to the economic and demographic challenges that growing numbers of people living with chronic conditions will bring to Wales over the next 25 years.

There is widespread recognition of the potential for partnerships between patients and healthcare professionals to transform how people living with chronic conditions make use of healthcare resources. Given the challenges facing health services and their long-term sustainability, there is a need for new seamless approaches to self-management that support patients long-term to have the confidence and resources for optimal self-care and to self-manage their health condition/s.

Development and sustainability of the National Peer Support Service will be achievable by using the current framework (Health Board staff and Volunteer base) we also promote volunteering as part of our core framework.

The Welsh Government as part of their published guidance relating to ‘introducing recovery, peer support and lived experienced conditions ’ describes peer support initiatives as incorporating the following principles: