The Non Partisan Association believes Alberta must expand its healthcare capacity by increasing the number of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across the province. A Primary Care Network is an integrated, interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals—physicians, nurses, dietitians, mental health counselors, and pharmacists—working collaboratively to deliver comprehensive patient care.
The NPA advocates for expanding these networks to reduce pressure on hospitals and improve health outcomes for all Albertans.
What is a Primary Care Network?
- A collaborative team of healthcare professionals serving a defined patient population
- Provides comprehensive care beyond what a single physician can offer
- Focuses on prevention, chronic disease management, and coordinated care
- Currently serves millions of Albertans but coverage gaps remain
Eight Key Benefits of Expanded Primary Care Networks
1. Reduced Emergency Room Congestion
When patients can access their PCN team for non-emergency issues such as minor infections, flu symptoms, or routine concerns, emergency departments remain available for genuine emergencies. This improves wait times for all patients requiring urgent care.
2. Early Detection and Prevention
PCN teams conduct regular screenings and health assessments, identifying potential health issues before they become serious conditions requiring hospitalization. Preventive care is both more effective and more cost-efficient than reactive treatment.
3. Chronic Disease Management
For patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, PCN teams provide ongoing education, monitoring, and support. This proactive approach helps patients maintain their health and avoid acute episodes that would otherwise require hospital admission.
4. Integrated Mental Health Services
PCNs include mental health professionals who can provide timely counseling and support. Embedding these services within primary care reduces wait times for mental health treatment and addresses the growing demand for psychological support across the province.
5. Reduced Physician Burnout
By distributing workload across a team of qualified professionals—including nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and allied health workers—PCNs prevent physician exhaustion. This sustainable model helps retain medical professionals in Alberta's healthcare system.
6. Cost-Effective Care Delivery
Community-based primary care is significantly less expensive than hospital-based treatment. Investing in PCN expansion generates substantial savings that can be redirected to other healthcare priorities while improving patient outcomes.
7. Surgical Preparation and Recovery Support
PCN teams can prepare patients for scheduled surgeries through pre-operative optimization and provide post-operative follow-up care. This coordination improves surgical outcomes and accelerates patient recovery, freeing hospital resources more quickly.
8. Equitable Access Across Communities
Expanding PCNs to underserved rural and remote communities ensures that all Albertans have access to quality primary care regardless of their location. This addresses the geographic disparities that currently limit healthcare access for many residents.
NPA Position
The Non Partisan Association urges the provincial government to prioritize PCN expansion as a cornerstone of healthcare reform. By strengthening primary care infrastructure, Alberta can reduce hospital strain, improve population health outcomes, and create a more sustainable healthcare system for future generations.