10 years of service – Calgary Rural PCN

Adelle Ellis
Times Reporter

 

The Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (Calgary Rural PCN) has been providing primary care services for the past 10 years to patients in 14 communities surrounding Calgary, including Strathmore.
There are four different clinics in Strathmore that are part of the Calgary Rural PCN. This includes the Valley Medical Clinic, Strathmore Medical Clinic, Crystal Ridge Medical Clinic and the Pinnacle Medical Centre which opened this past year.
“For patients who I know there just wasn’t anything for them within my four walls, I have been able to refer the patient to a PCN health team member or program to help them reach their goals,” said Dr. Alison Clarke with Valley Medical Clinic.
The Calgary Rural PCN employs a host of team members, including registered nurses, licenced practical nurses, behavioural change specialists, and dietitians and exercise specialists, all to help and support patients through their health concerns and needs.
The Calgary Rural PCN, in partnership with the Alberta Health Services (AHS), provides programs and services designed to meet the health needs of the communities.
There are several programs offered in Strathmore:
• The BCBH Chronic Pain workshop is a six part series of 2.5 hour classes. For more information or to book, call 403-934-2584.
• Diabetes classes; Pre-Diabetes: Are you at Risk; and Diabetes Essentials run on Mondays and Wednesdays. Contact Grace at 403-361-7210 for more information.
• Other programs include Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Essentials, Craving Change, Health Check In, Getting Started with Healthy Habits and Smoking Cessation. Indoor Walking is held at the Trinity Christian Academy. Contact the Strathmore PCN office at 403-901-0142.
Through the Calgary Rural PCN and AHS programing there is also a Pedometer Program where pedometers are available through the Bank Athletic Club for $20.
“It has been 10 years and we have an opportunity to learn from each of our communities to better understand gaps in services, and how we work together with our partner AHS,” says Stephanie Crichton, Calgary Rural PCN executive director in a news release on Dec. 15.
“We look forward to continuing to build on the successes of the past 10 years and further strengthen primary care in our communities,” she said.