Hippokrates was launched under the auspices of EURACT by Dr Per Kallestrup (Denmark) at the 6th European Conference on General Practice & Family Doctors in Vienna, Austria July 2-6, 2000.

In the pilot phase of the programme there were 5 participating countries: Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom

Since its inception new participating countries have joined and more are still joining as the programme expands. Currently the programme offers 19 participating National Exchange Co-ordinators within Europe (see 'Membership' section), with at present 7 of these countries offering over 20 host GP practices.

National Exchange Co-ordinators are appointed by the national Vasco da Gama Movement Council Representative, who in turn is selected through the country's national college of family medicine / general practice.

In the participating countries a number of General Practitioners and their Practices have been selected to be Host Practices. These practices are the cornerstones of the programme inviting visiting Medical Doctors specialising in Family Medicine from the other participating countries.