12th May 2009

epSOS is a Large Scale Pilot project that operates within a complex policy background and focuses on electronic patient record systems, with their  initial focus on both Patient / Medication Summary and e-Prescribing/e-dispensing solutions.  The aim is to demonstrate that it is feasible for any Member State that already provides these eHealth services to its citizens within its own territory to secure conditions that will allow the Member State to also offer these services to its citizens when they travel abroad to other epSOS countries.  epSOS has been conceived as a pilot involving 12 member states and designed to be comprehensive, robust and universally accepted across professions and cultures. The project is also meant to be a starting point and a stimulus for cooperation on eHealth development in Europe with a perspective going beyond the first two cross-border pilot services between the Member States involved.  CALLIOPE is supporting this process by providing a European platform for open dialogue and strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders to further advance the development and deployment of interoperable eHealth services.

Now the epSOS – Calliope collaboration is going to be empowered through a Joint Working Agreement and a specific work plan. In a meeting scheduled for the 26th of May in Paris, epSOS will meet members of Calliope and national authorities of countries interested in joining epSOS.  As part of the Agreement, a CALLepSO work group is to be set up to apply various methods of consultation, to create a meeting space for both projects and bridge the input of their members in order to ensure as broader as possible acceptance for eHealth applications across Europe.