Commission convenes 2nd conference on European Reference Networks in Lisbon: registration now open
According to Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare, the establishment of a system of European Reference Networks (ERN) is crucial to provide expertise for high quality and affordable treatment to patients in Europe. The establishment of European Reference Networks is especially significant and momentous for rare disease patients across Europe as they will now have the possibility to access resources that may not be available within the confines of their countries. The establishment of ERNs also require a great deal of cooperative and collaborative effort across Europe. The legal framework was put into action on 27 May 2014 by the Commission, DG SANTE organised a successful conference on European Reference Network on 23rd of June in Brussels to address the organisation of these specialised networks where several eminent stakeholders gathered to devise, deliberate and prepare for the present and future of European Reference Networks and address the forthcoming call for European Reference Networks in 2015.
The European Commission is now organising a 2nd conference on European Reference Networks on 8-9 October 2015, which will be hosted by the Ministry of Health in Lisbon, Portugal. Included as an event in the Luxemburgish Council Presidency programme, this conference will bring together highly specialised healthcare providers, experts, national authorities, decision–makers, and independent bodies with experience in the assessment and evaluation of healthcare providers.
The conference will focus on the implementation of European Reference Networks and facilitate the exchange of information and expertise on establishing and evaluating such Networks. It will look into the next steps of the deployment process, in preparation for the forthcoming call for European Reference Networks in 2016. This event builds on the success of the 1st conference on European Reference Networks which took place in Brussels on 23 June 23 2014.
Access information here (Registration is free).