The EpiCARE group, has been recognised as a European Reference Network (ERN) on rare and complex epilepsies by the European Commission. This was in response to a call from the EU, which closed in June 2016.
The EpiCARE ERN follows on from the pilot ERN, E-pilepsy, which demonstrated the absolute need for a clinical network devoted to the rare and complex epilepsies.
E-pilepsy (EU EAHC 534055, 2014, Ryvlin & Cross, 3 years) increased the awareness and availability of epilepsy surgery across Europe through the utilisation of e-health.
With ERN status EpiCARE will expand on this work to increase availability of specialist diagnostics and health care to the wider group of rare and complex epilepsies, incorporating E-pilepsy as one of several therapeutic networks.
Dissemination of activities will be core to the network, and will be the responsibility of the coordinator and Epilepsy Alliance Europe.