epSOS (Smart Open Services for European Patients) focuses on electronic patient record systems and operates within a complex policy environment. The initial focus is on cross-border access to Patient Summary data sets and ePrescriptions. epSOS has been conceived of as a pilot project designed to take place on a large scale, initially involving 10 EU-Member States, but expanded to 23 Participating Nations (PN) since January 2011. The project will demonstrate that - based on European collaboration and the commitment of the Participating Nations - it is possible to improve the quality and safety of healthcare provided to patients outside their usual country of residence.