Primary Care Network

The Primary Care Network is an Alberta-based initiative designed to improve and better coordinate access to primary health care through multidisciplinary collaboration. The physicians at Cura Family Practice and Meadows Maternity are active members of the Calgary West Central (CWC) Primary Care Network. Through affiliation with the PCN, patients gain access to several valuable and free-of-charge services. A full list of services offered is available online at http://www.cwcpcn.com.

Some services currently available through affiliation with the CWC PCN include:

• Access to the CWC Primary Care Centre with a seven-day-a-week, same day appointment service for patients in immediate need who are referred by their PCN family physician (see below)
• Access to specialized staff, which may include behavioral health consultants, chronic disease and geriatric nurses, and patient care coordinators.

CWC Primary Care Centre

The CWC Primary Care Centre (CWC PCC) at Westbrook is operated by the Calgary West Central Primary Care Network (CWC PCN) and provides several services:

• The CWC PCC offers enhanced access with a seven-day-a-week, same day appointment service for patients in immediate need who are referred by their PCN family physician. Available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays, this referral service provides an alternative to the walk-in system or a visit to the ER. Instead, patients unable to see their PCN member physician can receive an appointment at the centrally located clinic. On evenings and weekends patients can also call Health Link (see below) to self-refer if their physician's practice is closed. This service is by appointment only and is available 365 days a year to patients whose family physician is a member of the CWC PCN.

Health Link

• If you have a health concern for yourself or a child, you can call Health Link by dialing 811 for quick and easy advice from a registered nurse 24/7. They will ask questions, assess symptoms and determine the best care for you.
• Albertans can now receive specialized dementia advice through Health Link. This service helps individuals and caregivers living with dementia, including those with Alzheimer’s disease .
• For out-of-province or internet phone users, call 1-866-408-5465 (LINK).
• Be advised that Health Link is not a substitute for calling 911 in emergency situations.

Crisis Line - Calgary

The crisis is line is a telephone line that is available 24 hours a day for people to call when they are in distress, and need someone to talk to. The number is: 403-266-HELP (4357)

The following is from the crisis line website:

• “We are available to talk anytime – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Crisis doesn’t take time off, so neither do we. When you make a call to Distress Centre, you will always get an answer, an open mind and a caring ear.
• If it's too hard to say out loud and you'd prefer to talk to about your problems with someone online, then our online chat or email support might be for you. Chat is available from 5pm-10pm daily and is accessed from our home page. Emails are responded to within 24-48 hours (not an immediate response) so if the issue is urgent, please call the crisis line. However, if you can wait for a response and would prefer to email, contact us at help@distresscentre.com.”

Access Mental Health

Access Mental Health is a service that connects patients or families with mental health and addiction services in the Calgary area. Patients can self-refer as this service does not require a physician referral.

Access Mental Health agents can help people navigate the addiction and mental health system in the Calgary Zone. Agents are familiar with both Alberta Health Services and community based programs and will explore options and direct/refer clients to the most appropriate resource to meet their needs. Access Mental Health is a non-urgent service. Anyone is invited to call for information and options for addiction and mental health services.

Telephone: 403-943-1500 Ext 1 (Child and Adolescent Services) , 403-943-1500 Ext 2 ( Adult and Senior Services)

Alberta Healthy Living Program

The Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP) is an integrated community-based chronic disease management program

The program includes the following services:

Patient education, including disease-specific and general health and lifestyle topics Self-management support through Better Choices, Better Health ® workshops Supervised exercises Services may also include specialty services and services targeting diverse and vulnerable populations. Must be 18 years or older. Self-referrals are welcome. Call 403-943-2584 to register in any of these programs

Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage

Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage is a health plan available to all Alberta residents under 65 years of age and their dependants.

If you have a medical condition requiring expensive prescription treatments, Non-Group Coverage should be strongly considered. The plan does cover pre-existing health conditions and no medical review is required.

Visit www.health.alberta.ca/services/drugs-non-group.html for more information.

Community Health Centres (Public Health Centres)

All routine childhood vaccinations are administered only through Community Health Centres (sometimes called Public Health Centres). These vaccines are not stocked at the family physician’s office.

1. Acadia Community Health Centre
   151 86 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 3A5
   Telephone: 403-944-7200

2. East Calgary Health Centre
   2nd Floor 4715 8 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2A 3N4
   Telephone: 403-955-1250

3. Northwest Community Health Centre
   Unit 109 – Ranchlands Village Mall 1829 Ranchlands Boulevard NW, Calgary, Alberta T3G 2A7
   Telephone: 403-943-9700

4. Shaganappi Community Health Centre
   3415 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T3C 0E8
   Telephone: 403-944-7373

5. South Calgary Community Health Centre
   31 Sunpark Plaza SE, Calgary, Alberta T2X 3W5
   Telephone: 403-943-9500

6. Thornhill Community Health Services
   Thornhill Library 6617 Centre Street N, Calgary, Alberta T2K 4Y5
   Telephone: 403-944-7500

7. Village Square Community Health Centre
   2623 56 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6E7
   Telephone: 403-944-7000