Patients with chronic illnesses in Bradford are being encouraged to improve their lives by becoming "experts" on managing their health.

People with conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and asthma are being invited to take part in a new NHS initiative called Expert Patients Programme (EPP).

Women are being recruited to take part in the first course at Karmand Community Centre, Barkerend Road, Bradford, which starts on August 7 and runs for six weeks.

They will visit the centre every Wednesday morning to take part in the programme in which patients and carers will be able to share their wealth of experience and knowledge about the management of chronic disease.

It is hoped the new project, taking place within the Bradford City Primary Care Trust area, will help the Trust to improve its management of chronic conditions. Government performance figures published this week reveal the Trust is significantly below average in this area, with 274 people with asthma and diabetes per 100,000 of population needing emergency treatment. The national average figure is just 170 per 100,000 of population.

The new approach has been modelled on a similar programme in the US which found that providing patients with information on topics such as pain reduction, use of medication and healthy living could dramatically improve their long-term health.

Firdaws Khan, senior trainer at EPP in North and West Yorkshire, said: "After the initial diagnosis of chronic illness people find they do not have any support in managing the impact of that illness on their life.

"This course offers them ideas on how to manage their life more effectively and regain control. Research shows that people reap huge benefits in their long term health.

"They gain a quality of life that they thought would never be possible. For example, going back into employment or setting up a self-help group."

Other benefits include a reduction in the severity of symptoms, a better relationship with health professionals and fewer visits to GPs and hospitals.

EPP is working with Bradford South and West Primary Care Trust to set up further courses, beginning in September.