ERN PaedCan: Yes, We Made It!

During the ERN Conference in Vilnius last 9-10 March 2017, the European Reference Network for paediatric oncology (ERN PaedCan) has been officially approved. This incredible result has been achievable thanks to the great team effort and the strong commitment of all ExPO-r-Net partners, who managed to consolidate the preconditions for this multinational network.

In concrete words, implementing this ERN means more treatment options and less red tape for young patients and their families. Excellent European centres are already renowned for their expertise in treating these malignancies. By providing clear information regarding quality, safety and reimbursement of treatments received in another EU country, the ERN PaedCan will make this know-how and life-saving treatments broadly accessible to all children and adolescents in Europe, including patients from regions that lack the necessary resources.

Partners of the ExPO-r-Net project are confident that this ERN will facilitate the provision of highly specialised, accessible and cost-effective cross-border healthcare to all childhood cancer patients. Over the past years, they demonstrated what needed to be done to lay its foundation, i.e. to structure a clear framework for the exchange of information among more than 60 paediatric oncology centres, to improve interoperability and implement e-Health technologies, and to inform and enable national health systems to cooperate in the interest of patients.