New $6-Million Facility Brings Specialized Minimally Invasive Treatments Closer to Home for Fraser Valley Residents
Patients across British Columbia’s Fraser Valley will have improved access to advanced minimally invasive medical procedures following the opening of a newly modernized interventional radiology suite at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
The upgraded facility, supported through a $6-million investment involving provincial funding, regional support and community donations, is designed to expand access to specialized diagnostic and treatment services closer to home while reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for care.
“This new interventional radiology suite brings advanced, specialized care closer to home, helping patients avoid unnecessary stress, long travel, and delays when they need treatment,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “As the Fraser Valley grows, the Province is strengthening the health-care system so people can access the timely, high-quality care they deserve.”
The modernization project comes amid continued population growth across the Fraser Valley, where demand for specialized health services and hospital infrastructure has increased significantly in recent years.
Advanced Imaging Technology Supports More Precise Care
The renovated interventional radiology suite includes upgraded imaging technology that allows clinical teams to view the inside of the body with greater detail and accuracy.
Health officials say the enhanced equipment will support more precise procedures while enabling patients to receive advanced treatments locally instead of travelling to larger urban centres.
The technology is expected to improve patient outcomes by supporting minimally invasive procedures that typically involve smaller incisions, shorter recovery times and reduced hospital stays.
“This newly renovated interventional radiology suite at Abbotsford Regional Hospital reflects the impact that strong partnerships and community generosity can have on care,” says Dermot Kelly, President and CEO, Fraser Health. “We are deeply grateful to all the partners whose support helped make this modernized space possible, improving access to advanced, minimally invasive treatments for people across the Fraser Valley closer to home and their loved ones. This investment will enhance the care experience, support faster recovery and help people return sooner to activities that matter most to them.”
The suite will allow health-care teams to perform a broader range of procedures, including treatments targeting conditions that significantly affect quality of life.
One example highlighted by Fraser Health is prostatic artery embolization, a procedure that reduces blood flow to the prostate and helps men manage urinary tract symptoms associated with prostate enlargement.
Expanded Clinical Capabilities
The new suite also supports intravascular ultrasound technology, which enables clinicians to examine artery walls in real time, assess plaque buildup and improve the precision of vascular procedures.
“The new equipment has much higher resolution, allowing Imaging teams to treat small areas and vessels which were not visible on older equipment,” says Dr. Amarjit Bajwa, Department Head, Radiology, Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre and Mission Memorial Hospital. “This opens the door for us to offer a wider range of interventional services, including prostate and gynaecological treatments.”
Interventional radiology is considered one of the fastest-evolving fields in modern medicine. It uses imaging technology to guide medical instruments such as needles, wires and catheters through blood vessels and small incisions to diagnose or treat a range of conditions.
These procedures are commonly used to address urologic, gynecologic, abdominal, dialysis and musculoskeletal conditions, while also playing a critical role in emergency situations involving internal bleeding or embolisms.
Health-care providers increasingly rely on minimally invasive approaches because they can lower risks for patients, reduce recovery periods and improve the overall care experience.
Public and Community Funding Backed Project
The modernization project was funded through a combination of provincial, regional and philanthropic contributions.
The Province of British Columbia provided $3 million toward the project, while the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District contributed $2 million. An additional $1 million was raised through donors supporting the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.
“The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation is deeply grateful to the James and Pamela Braun Family for their generous $1 million contribution toward the upgrade of the interventional radiology suite at Abbotsford Regional Hospital,” says Liz Harris, Executive Director, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. “Leadership gifts like this have a profound impact on patient care and help ensure our community has access to leading-edge technology, close to home.”
Growing Demand for Regional Health Infrastructure
The investment reflects broader efforts by the provincial government and Fraser Health to expand access to specialized care throughout rapidly growing communities in British Columbia.
Fraser Health serves more than two million people across the Fraser Salish region through hospital and community-based services delivered by more than 50,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers.
The health authority also acknowledged that it operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and works alongside 32 First Nations communities within the Fraser Salish region.
Officials say the upgraded interventional radiology suite will play an important role in supporting future patient demand while helping residents access advanced medical care closer to where they live.