Medical Services in Alberta

Family doctors and basic medical care including preventative care are a free service in Alberta. This includes a wide range of medical services from a broken arm, to your annual physical, vaccinations or for referrals to specialists. Once referred to a specialist, most of these services are still covered by provincial health care. Medical offices will always advise you in advance if there is a fee for any of their services such as a letters for employers, medical forms for immigration or elective procedures. More details on medical services in Alberta can be found at Alberta Health Services

Choose a doctor:

The first step is to visit College of Physicians and Surgeons via Alberta Health Services and determine which doctors are accepting patients. Make some calls, ask questions that are important to your health care philosophy and make an appointment to meet with him/her and see if it is a good fit. All specialists including pediatricians require a referral from a family doctor. If someone in your family has special medical needs, your current physician may initiate that referral prior to moving to Alberta.

Haven't selected a doctor and now need attention?

If it's an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital (listed below). If it is not an emergency, call 811 to reach Healthlink, and a nurse will be able to offer you guidance including directing you to the nearest walk-in clinic:

Calgary and area hospitals

Surrounding Calgary area

Due to demand on Calgary's hospitals, sometimes you will be treated faster if you visit a hospital in the surrounding area:

Still trying to find a doctor?

Word of mouth is often the best way. Talk to friends, co-workers or medical people at the walk-in clinics and find out which doctors are accepting patients. Often they will take a few more families and do not advertise that they have space in their practice.