The numbers are skewed.

While Calgary's 112 family physicians per 100,000 people are higher than both the provincial and national averages, it's not an accurate reflection of what's actually going on, according to Calgary Mountain View Liberal MLA David Swann.
 
"Family physicians are increasingly turning to other things, injecting veins, cosmetic procedures, helping out with specialized surgeries, just to make enough money to stay afloat," Swann said. "It's a highly stressful, poorly paid career and people are staying away from family medicine in droves, so I'd suggest that this 112 number is absolutely inaccurate."

The family physician rate barely made the grade on the Calgary Foundation's Vital Signs report released earlier this week, receiving a D, while health and wellness overall received a C, indicating Calgarians expect much more of a health care system that Swann said is on a fast track for complete disaster.

"The one's that do stick with it are so close to falling off the edge that it is going to mean more mistakes are made, more complications and more legal action," Swann said. "People aren't getting the care they need or deserve."

Alberta Health and Wellness' Howard May said there isn't a city in the country facing more growth pressure than Calgary and finding enough people to fill family physician slots is a constant battle.
"Let's face it, when you've got people moving here from all over the country and the world, they're not bringing their hospitals and doctors with them," May said. "We're doing the best we can."

FACT BOX
-Overall Health and Wellness received a grade of C
-16.4 per cent of Calgarians are considered obese
-56.3 per cent of Calgarians consider themselves active
-78.5 per cent of Calgarians report excellent mental health
-Calgary has the third most casinos per capita in North America