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It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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HOW TO FIND A FAMILY DOCTOR IN CALGARY

The online Need-a-Doctor Registry is available to individuals residing in Calgary or surrounding areas who do not have a family doctor or whose doctor is retiring. Registrants are contacted when a doctor in their local residential community becomes available. The online address is www.needadoctorcalgaryandarea.ca

I currently have a doctor. Can I sign up for a different doctor?

Due to the large number of southern Albertans who do not have a family doctor, the primary goal of the registry is to help those individuals find a doctor. If you currently have a family doctor you would not qualify for this service, however you can search for a doctor on your own. The Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons website, www.cpsa.ab.ca has a list of doctors in Alberta currently taking patients. Or you can call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.

When I sign up can I make a request for a specific doctor or clinic?

When you sign up at www.needadoctorcalgaryandarea.ca, because of the high volume of registrations, the registry is unable to take specific requests. Registrants can expect to be attached to a doctor in or around their local residential community. If you have a specific doctor or clinic in mind, you are welcome to contact them yourself.

What happens after I register?

When you submit your information, you will see a confirmation page informing you that your registration has been received. Registrants are matched with a doctor in the order they register. When your name reaches the top of the list, you will be contacted by your local Primary Care Network to set up an appointment with a physician in your local residential community.

How long can I expect to wait before I am contacted?

The wait times vary depending on the number of doctors currently taking patients. Estimated average wait times are approximately three months; however, you are encouraged to continue looking for a doctor while you wait. The Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons website keeps a directory of doctors in Calgary and area who are currently accepting new patients.

I am in need of a doctor immediately. What can I do?

In case of an emergency, please dial 911.
If you need general care while you wait for a doctor, please visit a Walk-In Clinic. If you need urgent care/non-emergent care, please visit an Urgent Care Centre in your area.
If you need care after regular clinic hours, or have questions about health symptoms, contact Health Link at 1-866-408-5465.
For 24 hour free telephone counselling, call the Distress Centre at 403-266-4357.

I have a chronic medical condition that I need help to manage. Can I get a doctor quickly?

This registry is meant to be one of several tools to help you find a family physician. Patients are matched with a physician in the order they register and wait times vary based on the availability of physicians. You are advised to continue looking for a doctor while you wait. The Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons website, www.cpsa.ab.ca has a list of doctors in Alberta currently taking patients. Or you can call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.

Additional support services for patients with a chronic medical condition:

Living Well with a Chronic Condition program is offered through Alberta Health Services for people who have chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, chronic pain, high cholesterol, heart disease, etc. For more information please call 403-943-2584 (9-HEALTH) or visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/livingwellcalgary.asp
Physician and self-referrals are accepted into the program.

Health Link Alberta is also available to answer your health questions and recommend additional services Call: 1-866-408-5465.

I’m pregnant and not receiving maternity care. Are there other services available to me while I wait for a family physician?

If you are currently pregnant, it is important you are receiving maternity care while you wait for a family physician. The following maternity clinics will take self-referrals from patients:

For patients living in NE/SE Calgary:
Mosaic Women’s Clinic
#1, 2681 – 36 Street NE
Calgary, AB T1Y 5S3
403-250-5066

For patients wanting to deliver at Foothills Medical Centre:
Riley Park Maternity Clinic
130, 1402 – 8 Avenue NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1B9
403-284-3711

For patients living in South Calgary:
SCPCN Low Risk Maternity Clinic
Suite 438, 12445 Lake Fraser Drive
Calgary, AB T2J 7A4
403-452-7167

For patients living in and around Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Morley and Lake Louise:
Three Sisters Obstetrics and Family Medicine Clinic
Suite 105 & 106, 75 Dyrgas Gate
Canmore, AB T1W 0A6
403-609-9095

For all other patients:
Health Link Alberta keeps a list of maternity clinics in Calgary and area. For more information call 1-866-408-5465.

The clinic or physician I’m interested in is accepting patients but only from this waitlist. Why can’t I call the clinic to book an appointment?

Most clinics/physicians accepting new patients will take patients who call in, as well as patients from this waitlist. However, some clinics choose only to attach patients who have registered on this waitlist. If you have questions about a clinic’s policy, please contact that clinic directly.

I need help filling out the online form.

If you require assistance registering for this service, please call Health Link Alberta, free health information phone line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week toll free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465). Mandarin Health Link Alberta in Calgary at 403-943-1554, Cantonese Health Link Alberta in Calgary at 403-943-1556.

Source: Need-a-doctor Registry online, www.needadoctorcalgaryandarea.ca

If you want to read any of the previous ‘Road to Healthy Living’ series articles, please go to

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/4248.asp and get health information in your own language

HOW TO FIND A FAMILY DOCTOR IN CALGARY

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