About The Alex

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What is Primary Health Care

Located in the old Alexandra school in Calgary's southeast community of Inglewood, The Alexandra Community Health Care Centre was formed in 1973 as Calgary's first community health care centre. The Alex (as it is know today) is committed to improving the health of those who face barriers to health care services.

In the early 1970's, medical and legal services were not meeting the needs of many residents, particularly those at risk and in need. Through a local pastor, Father Greg Hildebrandt, an agreement was reached with Catholic Family Services to provide counseling services for these individuals in the new Calgary Medical Aid Centre.

In 1972, organizers in Inglewood identified the need for medical services in the local community. With a grant from the Local Initiatives Program, a survey was conducted with residents in the local communities of Inglewood and Ramsay. Poverty, loneliness, alcoholism, cultural alienation and physical disabilities characterized the community. There had not been a physician in the area for 25 years and the social services in the area were fragmented. Community members provided the drive to have the Calgary Medical Aid Centre relocated in Inglewood. A community board was set up and the Calgary Medical Aid Centre moved to the Alexandra School building and was renamed The Alex.

As the Alex grew, it became obvious that the system of volunteer physicians and other staff was not practical. After negotiations with Alberta Health, a physician began full-time practice on a fee for service basis. This did not prove effective as many clients needed extended time to adequately assess, treat and promote a client's health and several were not eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance. In 1976, the Alex's Board applied to Alberta Health for special program funding to cover the salary of one physician and one-third of the administrative costs.

Since then, the programs and services at the Alex have been developed in response to community-identified needs. In 1998, The Alex began a direct association and partnership with the Calgary Health Region. A service contract has been developed to assist with the longer-term primary health care service delivery at The Alex. At present approximately 40% of our funding comes through the regional health authority.

In 2000 the board and staff jointly revisited The Alex's mandate, and given the changing demographics of the neighbourhoods that had been served, a decision was made to expand the service catchment area to include all of east Calgary and the downtown core. In addition, a decision was made to move to a satellite model for the delivery of services. This decision resulted in the creation of a Seniors Community Health Centre in the downtown East Village community.

In 2002, The Alex Community Health Bus took to the streets. The Health Bus, which is the only mobile health facility west of Toronto, offers comprehensive medical care as well as emergency food and other services from a number of host sites in Downtown and East Calgary.

In 2007, The Alex saw the introduction of their Pathways to Housing program. The program, which is based on a successful model being used in New York, was tailored to meet the needs of Calgary's homeless population. Through The Alex's integrated approach to health care delivery, and their vast network of professionals, they are able to offer the most comprehensive program to address homelessness and the health of homeless individuals in Canada.

Today, The Alex continues to offer a consumer-responsive interdisciplinary team approach with a focus on prevention, early intervention and community development. This approach is possible through our partnership with a number of organizations including: Catholic Family Services; The Calgary Foundation; the United Way; The Calgary Health Region; Alberta Mental Health; Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, and other community partners.