Wye Valley NHS Trust welcomed a group of visitors from Japan this week, who travelled nearly 6,000 miles to learn about Herefordshire’s Expert Patient Programme (EPP), which helps transform the lives of people living with long term health conditions.

The group of three Japanese delegates who are conducting research on the development of a similar programme for patients in Japan, spent time meeting local patients with long term health conditions, who have been empowered by the programme, and observing the volunteer tutors in action who deliver the EPP courses for Wye Valley NHS Trust in Herefordshire.

Helen Byard, director of nursing at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as an exemplar provider of the Expert Patient Programme in the UK and very pleased to welcome our healthcare visitors. It’s also a great opportunity for us to understand how healthcare is provided abroad and how we can learn from each other.”