Study detailsThe study used a retrospective cohort design to examine what happened after the Red Deer OPS closed, using both within-site and between-site comparisons. Within-site comparisons looked at OPS service users’ outcomes over three phases related to the closure. The study used linked administrative data (using personal health numbers) to examine outcomes among people who had visited the Red Deer OPS at least once. Data from 381 people who accessed Red Deer OPS and 300 people who accessed Lethbridge OPS, all with valid personal health numbers, were included in the study. After the closure, there was a significantly greater increase over time in weekly hospital admissions among former Red Deer OPS service users than among Lethbridge OPS service users (P = 0.027).

Source: CBC News April 10, 2026 20:53 UTC