Family Doctors Accepting New Patients in Calgary (2025 Guide)

Finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can feel like a challenge — especially as Calgary continues to grow and clinic wait lists fluctuate.
This comprehensive guide explains how to find a doctor in Calgary, how Health Care Connect and local registries work, and what to expect when you register for ongoing primary care.

Our goal is to help Calgarians understand their options — from public AHS resources to independent clinics — and connect patients with trusted family physicians like Dr. Helen Dion at Pinnacle Medical Centres – Trinity Hills.

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Why a Family Doctor Matters

A family doctor is your main point of contact for non-emergency care in Canada. They handle routine check-ups, mental-health support, prescription renewals, and referrals to specialists.
Having a regular physician ensures continuity of care and faster access when new issues arise.

Key benefits include:

• Continuity of records and follow-up care

• Personalized medical history knowledge

• Preventive screening and chronic disease management

• Efficient referrals to specialists and imaging

• Mental-health and family planning support

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How to Find Family Doctors Accepting New Patients in Calgary

1. Use the Alberta Find-a-Doctor Directory

Visit the official Alberta Find a Doctor website.
This tool lists Calgary family physicians who are currently accepting new patients, organized by postal code and neighbourhood.
You can filter by language, gender, and practice type (e.g., solo vs. group clinic).

2. Register with Health Care Connect

The Health Care Connect program matches Albertans without a family doctor to available physicians.
When you sign up online or by phone (1-855-496-3348), a Care Connector will contact you with clinics in your area accepting new patients.
Priority is often given to those with chronic conditions or young children.

3. Check Local Clinic Websites

Many Calgary clinics list real-time updates on their own sites:

• Pinnacle Medical Centres – network of family clinics citywide

• Carewell Medical Clinic (Coach Hill)

• Get Well Medical Clinic (NE Calgary)

• MCI The Doctor’s Office and Well Clinics

• Trinity Hills Medical Centre (SW)

4. Call Health Link (811)

If you’re unsure where to start, call 811 to speak with a registered nurse.
They can help you find walk-in clinics, urgent care, or physicians taking new patients near your location.

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How to Get a Family Doctor in Calgary – Step by Step

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Health Care Connect – What It Is and How It Works

Health Care Connect is an AHS-supported service that matches patients with family doctors based on postal code and availability.
It was designed to reduce clinic overload and help people find consistent care.

Eligibility:

• Must have an Alberta Health Care card

• Must not already be registered with a family doctor

• Must be living in Alberta full time

Advantages:

• Centralized system reduces random cold-calling of clinics

• Prioritizes patients with complex needs

• Ensures even distribution of patients across practices

To register, visit albertafindadoctor.ca or call 1-855-496-3348.

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How to Get a Referral Without a Family Doctor

If you don’t yet have a family doctor but need a specialist referral (e.g., dermatologist, OB/GYN, psychiatrist), you can:

1. Visit a walk-in clinic. Any licensed physician can issue a referral for specialist consultation.

2. Use virtual care services like Maple or TELUS Health MyCare (for minor issues and referrals).

3. Contact community clinics that offer referrals for non-emergency care.

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Finding a Doctor Near You – Neighbourhood Overview

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For New Canadians and Students

If you’re new to Canada or just arrived in Calgary:

• Apply for your Alberta Health Care card as soon as possible.

• Once issued, you can join Health Care Connect or register at a clinic.

• Most universities (e.g., U of C, MRU) offer on-campus clinics for students.

• Walk-in clinics are a good short-term solution until you secure a family doctor.

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Changing Your Family Doctor

If you need to change your doctor:

1. Notify your current clinic in writing that you’re transferring.

2. Request your medical records be sent to the new clinic.

3. Update Health Care Connect if you registered through their program.

Tip: Avoid changing doctors frequently; continuity builds trust and improves diagnostic accuracy.

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Languages and Cultural Matching

Calgary offers diverse medical professionals including Chinese family doctors, Punjabi-speaking doctors, and French bilingual clinicians.
Use the language filter on Alberta Find a Doctor to match with a doctor you’re comfortable communicating with.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find a doctor if no one is accepting new patients?

Join Health Care Connect and stay on the list. Meanwhile, use walk-in clinics or virtual care for routine needs.

How to get a family doctor in Canada if I’m new to the country?

Apply for your provincial health card first. Then register with the local doctor-matching program (Health Care Connect in Alberta).

What if I need a referral right away?

Visit a walk-in clinic or telehealth service. Doctors there can issue referrals to specialists.

Can I choose a male or female doctor?

Yes. Most registries allow you to specify gender preference when you register or search.

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Spotlight on Dr. Helen Dion – Calgary Family Physician

Dr. Helen Dion is a Calgary-based family doctor currently accepting new patients at Pinnacle Medical Centres – Trinity Hills.
She has over a decade of experience in family medicine and pediatric emergency care, with training from the University of Edinburgh (UK).
Dr. Dion is known for her compassionate, thorough approach to care — particularly in mental health and women’s wellness.

Her practice at Pinnacle Medical Centres serves patients from across Calgary’s northwest and southwest communities, providing:

• Preventive and chronic care

• Women’s health and Pap smears

• Mental-health consultations and referrals

• Pediatric and family medicine

• Health forms and travel counselling

Patients seeking a consistent family doctor with a modern, patient-centred approach can contact Pinnacle Trinity Hills to book a meet-and-greet appointment with Dr. Helen Dion.

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Summary – How to Get a Family Doctor in Calgary

Bottom line: Start by searching on AlbertaFindADoctor.ca, then contact local clinics like Pinnacle Medical Trinity Hills for openings.
Building a relationship with a family doctor ensures your health care journey in Calgary is consistent, trusted, and accessible.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified health-care provider for individual assessment.