To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Expert Patients programme course places there have been in each year since the programme was established; and what proportion of these course places were specific to musculoskeletal problems. (249268)

Expert Patients Programme Community Interest Company was established in April 2007. For the period April 2007 to March 2008 they report that the number of course places delivered was 24,660. Figures for 2008-09 are not yet available. The Expert Patients Programme is a generic course and is open to anyone with a long term condition. Details are not available relating to the specific conditions that course participants live with, however Expert Patients Programme Community Interest Company estimate that 25 per cent. of course places are taken by people with musculoskeletal conditions.