A brighter space, state-of-the-art technology, and a more comfortable experience — that’s what Albertans can expect from a new and expanded endoscopy unit at Rockyview General Hospital. The Florence and Lloyd Cooper Endoscopy Unit addresses the rapidly growing need for endoscopies, and aims to reduce wait times and improve overall patient and staff experiences. Endoscopies use long, thin scopes inserted into the body to examine and potentially treat organs and other internal structures. Used primarily for colonoscopies, but also for scoping the upper gastrointestinal tract and lungs through bronchoscopies, the unit expands the number of endoscopy suites at the hospital from four to five. Planning for the unit began in 2021 as a response to the increased need for capacity, especially for colonoscopies. Alberta’s growing population and a rise in the incidence of THE SCOPE OF THINGS A new endoscopy unit expands capacity and reduces wait times. By Fabian Mayer
inflammatory bowel disease mean that demand for endoscopies has increased between two and four per cent annually, according to Dr. Misty Watson, facility medical director at Rockyview General Hospital. “We expect we’ll be able to do about 4,000 more procedures per year with the space now fully up and running,” Watson says. “Besides just the volume of patients we will be able to see, it’s also much more spacious, so there’s a lot more privacy for patients. All the equipment is high tech and a lot easier to use for the physicians and the staff, and also a lot more comfortable for patients.” IMPROVING PREVENTATIVE CARE The unit was built in part with the help of Calgary Health Foundation donors who contributed $10 million to the project. Watson says the previous unit was considerably smaller, adding that the new facility will not only make visits more pleasant for patients and staff, but will also lead to better health outcomes by increasing earlier detection. “Probably the most important thing is preventative healthcare,” says Watson. “A lot of bowel cancer is easily treated if it’s caught early, so being able to see patients in a timely fashion, and being able to see clearly when they’re in for their scope, is so important. For example, identifying precancerous polyps and getting them removed can prevent people from developing more advanced cancer, but also just catching cancer more quickly and starting on treatment at an earlier time can make a huge difference.” The unit makes use of improved scopes and incorporates AI technology that will make diagnosing issues easier and more accurate. There is also an expanded break room for staff and a new education room where endoscopies can be streamed for doctors and technicians to learn about the procedures. The unit officially opened in August of 2025, and is fully operational.
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The Florence and Lloyd Cooper Endoscopy Unit
Breakthroughs [ Fall 2025 ]
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