Welcome

Welcome to our website.

Here at the PCN, we strive to try new and innovative programs to help our doctors and their patients. This summer, we will be having the first Stepping Up! Edmonton North PCN Pedometer Challenge! Please click on the "Pedometer Challenge 2012" link and sign up today!

Primary care is a patient's first contact with the health system.  For most people it is their family physician, but for some it might be a nurse at a public health facility, a physiotherapist appointment, or a visit to the emergency department. 

Unfortunately our primary care health system that has worked so well in the past is now struggling due to a shortage of clinical staff (most notably family physicians and nurses), a growing population, an aging population and an significant increase in chronic and complex diseases. 

Our provincial government, via the department of Alberta Health and Wellness, recognized a need to address this issue and they, along with the Alberta Medical Association and (what was then) the Regional Health Authorities, created a program in 2003 that focuses specifically on primary care.  This program is called the Primary Care Initiative.  To read more about this provincial effort, please visit www.albertapci.ca.

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) now exist throughout the province and provide primary care service in new ways. Each Network is a joint venture between a local group of family physicians and Alberta Health Services so that each can focus specifically on what their area needs.  This flexibility is important because the biggest issues in Edmonton North are different that the top priorities in other areas of the province such as St Albert, Lethbridge or Fort McMurray.  Each PCN truly provides "local solutions to local problems".

Currently there over 35 PCNs in operation throughout the province and more are being planned. Edmonton North started as a PCN on June 1, 2007.

Here in Edmonton North our purpose is to work together with our family physicians to build a healthier community.  We do this by complementing the terrific care our physicians already provide to their patients.  We invite you to look around our site and find out more about how we are helping to improve and support the delivery of primary care.