Calgary area Primary Care Networks celebrate a decade of patient care

CALGARY, Sept. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Calgary and area are celebrating 10 years of care in the community, having helped hundreds of thousands of people through a variety of programs and access to clinics or health teams over the past decade.

Most of the seven PCNs in the Calgary area were established in 2006 in partnership with Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health to provide programs and services for patients through their family doctor or medical home. Each PCN's programs and services are uniquely designed to meet the health needs of patients in the area it serves. Examples include after-hours care clinics, specialized maternity clinics, group classes, a clinical partnership with the Tsuut'ina nation and a refugee clinic. Approximately 551,237 patients have received care in these clinics over 10 years.

"Alberta is a leader in primary health care reform in this country. Although we have a way to go, we are doing something pretty fantastic here. Team-based care gives the patient the ability to access the right person for the right problem at pretty much the right time, which enhances access. Combine teams with specialized clinics and programs that also enhance care and you can quickly see the impact that PCNs have had on our community," says Dr. Phillip van der Merwe, Co-chair, Physician Leads Executive for the PCNs.

PCNs also support patients by providing doctors with a host of health team members, including behavioural health consultants, dental hygienists, dietitians, kinesiologists, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, patient coordinators, social workers and respiratory therapists.

The Calgary West Central, Calgary Foothills, Highland, Mosaic and South Calgary PCNs have had health teams since nearly the beginning and have collectively provided team-based care for approximately 561,087 people in that time. PCN programs and services remain in high demand today.

"PCNs continue to be important partnerships between Alberta Health Services and physicians which ensure Albertans receive the right care in the right place at the right time," said Dr. Ted Braun, Acting Vice President, Medical Director Central and Southern Alberta. "We look forward to continuing to build on the successes of the past 10 years and further strengthen primary care in this province."

Today, seven Calgary and area PCNs have 1,626 member physicians caring for 1,382,515 patients. People can find their PCN by visiting www.mypcn.ca and learn more about other programs. For patients seeking a family doctor, visit www.calgaryareadocs.com.

SOURCE Calgary West Central Primary Care Network

Image with caption: "Primary Care Networks logo (CNW Group/Calgary West Central Primary Care Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160915_C5026_PHOTO_EN_773682.jpg

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