Abbotsford Regional Hospital welcomes $6 million interventional radiology suite

ABBOTSFORD – Fraser Health announced Wednesday that patients who need access to minimally invasive procedures can get the treatment they need closer to home with the opening of a modernized interventional radiology suite at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.

In a statement, FHA says the new interventional radiology suite brings advanced, specialized care closer to home for residents of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the surrounding communities.

“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 modernized suite features advanced imaging technology that allows healthcare personnel to view the body in greater detail, toward more precise, minimally invasive care. This means patients can receive complex procedures locally, reducing the need to travel and helping them stay closer to their families and support networks during treatment.

Clinical teams can perform a wider range of complex procedures, including treatments that help manage conditions affecting quality of life. For example, a procedure called prostatic artery embolization reduces blood flow to the prostate, helping men manage a common condition that causes urinary tract symptoms.

The suite also houses intravascular ultrasound, which enables clinicians to see inside artery walls, assess plaque buildup and better perform 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.”

Fraser Health says interventional radiology is a rapidly evolving area of medicine where care teams use technology to guide needles, wires and catheters into small incisions in the skin and through blood vessels to treat a range of conditions including urologic, gynecologic, dialysis, abdominal, and musculoskeletal conditions. These approaches are often less invasive, can reduce recovery times and improve patient experience. Interventional radiology is also used in emergency settings to treat life-threatening embolisms and internal bleeding.

The modernization project consisted of renovations and new equipment. It cost $6 million, with $3 million provided by the province, $2 million funded by the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District, and $1 million from generous donors to 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.”