Background illustration of city street

Media Centre

 

Hearts for health care workers

What began as a loving gesture to post hearts on their door to show solidarity and support for her husband, an emergency room doctor in the Boston area, has become a viral movement worldwide. “I wanted to find a way to let health care workers know that we see them, we are here for them and they are supported and loved,” says Tanya Russell who began the Hearts for Healthcare Workers Facebook group. Within weeks the group has grown to over 50,000 members with people posting photos of the…

Refugee Care app

Caring for refugees can be a complex process. The language barriers, trauma and presentation of illnesses usually unseen in Canada are just some of the reasons why these patients require more in-depth knowledge and support. To help meet this need Dr. Guillaume Mongeau-Martin and the physician group at the Calgary Refugee Health Program developed the Refugee Care app. "People don't have time to read an 80-page document which is why I had the idea to create an app to make it easy not only f…
 

Have a heart-healthy Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day usually brings to mind chocolates, champagne, flowers and romantic meals. It's also a good reminder to think about your heart health. Your heart works hard for you and looking after it is important to maintaining your overall health. Some simple ways to improve your heart health include: Staying active - even something as simple as going for a walk each day Quitting smoking Limiting your consumption of red meat, sugar and unhealthy fats Reducing stress "Qui…
 

Five tips to increase happiness

It’s a new year and many have vowed to make it a good one. A great place to start is with a positive attitude. Try these five things to increase your happiness: Go with the flow – Flow is about doing activities you enjoy, that challenge you, and you lose track of time when you do them. Some examples include carpentry, sewing, skiing or other hobbies you love. Physical activity – It’s simply about doing more! Park the car farther from the door at the mall. If you can walk for f…
 
Dr. Janet Reynolds on Global news

Supporting your New Year’s resolutions

Making New Year’s resolutions is the easy part — keeping those resolutions can be difficult. According to a 2016 Ipsos poll, 73 per cent Canadians who set a New Year’s resolution will break them. In fact, there’s even a day for it: Friday, January 17, is known as Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day. Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network can help people keep those resolutions with several free workshops: Ask a Dietitian group appointments — Professional advice from a registered d…

Access 365: Finding care when your family doctor’s office is closed

Our Access 365 Clinic operates 7-days-a-week. It provides after-hours care and same-day appointments (if appropriate) for patients who need urgent help. WHO CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT? Patients who: Have an urgent need to be seen by a doctor within 24 to 48 hours Can’t get an appointment within that time with their own family doctor Are patients of Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network doctors HOW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT If your family doctor’s clinic is closed, please call 811. Let …

Get your shot: Flu season immunization

As the leaves fall and the temperature continues to drop, flu season is almost upon us. Starting Monday, October 21, all Albertans aged six months and older will be able to do their part to protect themselves and their families from influenza. Ask your family doctor if your clinic is offering immunizations this winter. Alberta Health Services clinics and some pharmacies are also offering this service on a drop-in basis. Who should get the vaccine? Everyone aged six months and older shoul…

Happiness Basics workshop teaches participants how to be happy

Happiness Basics is a free workshop that teaches you skills to boost your overall happiness. It is a four-week course and weekly classes run once a week for two hours. Joining a Happiness Basics workshop has been shown to: Improve mood, vitality and energy levels Boost physical and mental health Reduce pain It is based on positive psychology, which aims to make normal life more fulfilling. Guided by trained health professionals, the workshop shows you how happy people think a…

Breastfeeding support helps children thrive

Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially in the early days. But new and expecting moms aren’t alone — the Breastfeeding Clinic at Riley Park Maternity Clinic offers support to 700 patients a year. “Our goal is to provide exceptional care for all types of breastfeeding and feeding issues,” says Dr. Janice Lui, a Riley Park Maternity Clinic lactation physician. “We are happy to see families for counselling and support prior to baby’s arrival as well.” Ellen Bezaire expe…

Finding a passion in helping others

Volunteering with the Red Cross in disaster relief missions has made Jenn Hewitt a better nurse. "It makes me more resourceful since I'm so used to working with much more limited materials," says Hewitt, a long-time staff member at the PCN's Riley Park Maternity Clinic. Hewitt says she is also more culturally sensitive to the patients she works within the maternity clinic: "I've seen firsthand where some patients have been coming from, as well as learning about different customs. "I fe…
 

Frequently asked questions about opioids

What are opioids? Opioids are drugs used primarily to treat pain. They can be prescribed medications including codeine, morphine and oxycodone. Like fentanyl and heroin, they can also be produced or obtained illegally. What is opioid use disorder? Long-term opioid use can result in an increased tolerance, meaning an increased dose is needed to achieve the same effect. Increasing doses can lead to an increased dependence. Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects people’s ability to function in ev…
 

Getting help: Family doctors to provide opioid treatments and support

Family doctors to provide much-needed opioid treatments and support Albertans from every walk of life struggle with opioid dependency. They are your neighbours, your friends and your co-workers. They’re not just those who have struggled with chronic mental health issues or homelessness. It doesn’t matter if opioids are prescription medications or street drugs; opioid use disorder can affect people taking either. Consequences may include strained or broken relationships, injury, dise…

Call your family doc first

When you’re not feeling well, you just want to get better. So going to a walk-in clinic seems like a quick fix. But doctors at walk-in clinics cannot access your medical history. On the other hand, your family doctor knows more about you and can more thoroughly assess your condition.   And they can add it to your primary health record. Information from visits to walk-in clinics or emergency rooms is not automatically sent to your family doctor. Your family doctor only knows ab…
 

The importance of continuity of care

Seeing your family doctor regularly can lead to better health and even life-saving care Continuity of care means your family doctor is with you every step of your care journey, working to do what's best for your health. It prevents tests from being duplicated and allows results to be reviewed promptly with your health history in mind. It also means that you commit to seeing your doctor regularly. For 69-year-old Stephen Nichol, continuity of care probably saved his life. In early 2018, he …

Finding care when your doctor’s office is closed

Our Access 365 Clinic operates 7-days-a-week. It provides after-hours care and same-day appointments (if appropriate) for patients who need urgent help. WHO CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT? Patients who: Have an urgent need to be seen by a doctor within 24 to 48 hours Can’t get an appointment within that time with their own family doctor Are patients of Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network doctors HOW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT Call your family doctor, if their clinic is open.�…