Calgary's Healthcare Crossroads: Navigating the Primary Care Crisis

Calgary Grapples with Primary Care Shortfalls

Calgarians continue to grapple with significant hurdles in accessing primary healthcare, a critical issue with profound implications, especially for cancer screening and treatment. Studies reveal many residents struggle to secure a family doctor or appointments, placing immense strain on emergency departments and walk-in clinics. This long-standing challenge underscores the urgency for robust systemic solutions.

Provincial Initiatives Take Shape

In response, Alberta has rolled out several policy changes. Spring 2025 saw the launch of the Primary Care Physician Compensation Model (PCPCM), shifting away from fee-for-service to incentivize comprehensive care. Updates to virtual care codes in late 2024 also aim to better compensate physicians for remote consultations, potentially improving access to remote services.

Coordinated Care and New Models

February 2025 marked the operational start of Primary Care Alberta, tasked with coordinating services and striving to connect every Albertan with a primary care provider. Furthermore, November 2025 introduced Bill 11, proposing a "dual practice model" for some physicians, though crucially, family medicine, emergency surgeries, and cancer treatments remain explicitly publicly funded.

Local Challenges and Ongoing Efforts

Despite a notable increase in Calgary family physicians accepting new patients in May 2025, overall demand remains high. A University of Calgary study highlighted that family doctors manage increasingly complex patient loads. While the Alberta Medical Association welcomed increased funding, they advocate for greater investment in team-based care, underscoring that the journey to robust healthcare access is ongoing for our city.