What is a Primary Care Network?

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a made-in-Alberta approach to improve and better coordinate patient access to primary health care. Primary health care is the first point of contact most people have with the health system. In each PCN, a group of family doctors works with Alberta Health Services to deliver quality services to patients.

A PCN is not necessarily a bricks-and-mortar building. Rather, it is a network of doctors and other health providers such as nurses, dietitians and pharmacists, working together to provide excellent health care.

While each network provides primary care services, priorities are set locally. Each PCN designs programs and services to best meet local needs, which may vary from area to area. This flexibility to develop local solutions to local health issues makes each PCN unique.

Today, there are about 40 PCNs operating in communities across the province.

Goals of a Primary Care Network:

• Coordinate access to primary health care, 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week
• Help Albertans find a family doctor
• Coordinate health services, including specialized and long-term care, through specialty-care linkages to primary care, to ensure better patient access
• Increase health promotion – improve health knowledge through education to drive healthy behavior change. For example, to help patients overcome emotional eating.

Calgary & Area Primary Care Networks:

South Calgary Primary Care Network

Calgary West Central Primary Care Network

Mosaic Primary Care Network

Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (Okotoks)

Highland Primary Care Network (Airdrie)

Bow Valley Primary Care Network (Banff and Canmore)