As I walked through the doors of the clinic in Exeter, Ontario, the first thing that struck me wasn’t the technology—it was the relief on patients’ faces. In a small waiting room decorated with local artwork, women spoke in hushed tones about finally being heard.
“I’ve been telling doctors for three years something wasn’t right,” confided Sarah, a 42-year-old teacher who asked that I use only her first name. “Now I have proof. I have answers.”
The South Huron Medical Centre in Exeter has become one of the first clinics in Canada to offer an emerging technology that’s transforming gynecological care. The clinic recently acquired the Endosee Advance, a handheld hysteroscopy device that allows physicians to examine the uterine cavity in their office—a procedure that traditionally required hospital referrals, anesthesia, and months of waiting.
In rural Ontario, where specialized healthcare often means lengthy journeys to urban centers, this innovation represents more than convenience. For many women, it’s the difference between receiving timely care or suffering in silence.
Dr. Hilary Reid, who spearheaded bringing the technology to Exeter, explained the significance while showing me the surprisingly compact device. “Women in rural communities face barriers to specialized care that their urban counterparts don’t,” she said, gently placing the instrument back on its charging station. “When a patient needs diagnostic imaging for the uterus, waiting six months for a hospital appointment isn’t just inconvenient—it can mean missing a critical window for treatment.”
The device, about the size of an electric toothbrush with a thin, flexible extension, allows doctors to view the uterine cavity on a connected screen in real-time during a regular office visit. The procedure typically takes less than ten minutes and requires no anesthesia for most patients.
According to Health Canada data, rural patients wait an average of 33% longer for specialized diagnostic procedures compared to urban residents. For gynecological concerns, these delays can have serious consequences, particularly when investigating abnormal bleeding that might indicate cancer or when addressing fertility issues where timing is critical.
What makes this technology particularly revolutionary is its accessibility. Previously, examining the uterine cavity required formal hysteroscopy—a procedure performed in hospital settings that often necessitates general anesthesia and recovery time. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada has identified office-based procedures as a key strategy for improving women’s healthcare access, especially in underserved regions.
I watched as Dr. Reid demonstrated the technology on a medical model, explaining how the high-resolution images help identify polyps, fibroids, and other conditions that might not appear on ultrasounds. The clarity was remarkable, even to my untrained eye.
“We’re not replacing hospital procedures entirely,” Dr. Reid cautioned. “But we’re filtering out many cases that don’t need that level of intervention and identifying those that need urgent care much faster.”
For patients like Marielle Johnson, a 38-year-old from nearby Zurich, the technology arrived at a critical moment. After experiencing irregular bleeding for months, traditional ultrasound showed nothing conclusive. Using the Endosee device, her doctor identified and removed a small polyp during the same appointment.
“I was prepared for months of tests and waiting,” Johnson told me as we spoke at a local café. “Instead, I had answers and treatment in one day. I can’t explain what that means when you’ve been worrying something serious is wrong.”
The innovation extends beyond the physical device to a new model of care. The South Huron clinic has established a specialized women’s health clinic day each week, creating a comprehensive approach that addresses both physical and mental health aspects of gynecological concerns.
The Canadian Women’s Health Network notes that fragmented care remains one of the biggest challenges in women’s health, with patients often shuttling between primary care physicians, gynecologists, and mental health providers without coordination. Integrated approaches like Exeter’s model address this fragmentation directly.
“Women’s health concerns don’t exist in isolation,” explained nurse practitioner Fiona Grasley, who works alongside Dr. Reid. “When we identify physical conditions, we can immediately connect patients with counseling resources if needed. The emotional toll of chronic gynecological issues can be significant.”
The clinic isn’t alone in pushing for innovation in women’s health technology. Across Canada, several initiatives are emerging to address historical gaps in care. The Women’s College Hospital in Toronto recently launched a virtual care program focused on menopause management, while researchers at the University of British Columbia are developing AI tools to better predict high-risk pregnancies in remote communities.
However, funding and accessibility barriers remain significant hurdles. The Exeter clinic purchased their device through a community fundraising campaign and a grant from the South Huron Hospital Foundation. At approximately $25,000 per unit, the technology remains out of reach for many smaller practices without similar support.
Provincial health plans also vary in their coverage of office-based procedures. While some provinces have created billing codes specifically for in-office gynecological diagnostics, others lag behind, creating a patchwork of accessibility across the country.
“We need systematic support for these innovations,” Dr. Reid emphasized. “The return on investment is clear—fewer hospital procedures, faster diagnoses, better outcomes. But the initial investment can be prohibitive without proper funding frameworks.”
As I prepared to leave Exeter, I reflected on the quiet revolution happening in this unassuming clinic. In a healthcare landscape often dominated by cutting-edge urban research hospitals, it was refreshing to witness innovation flourishing in rural Ontario.
For women like Sarah and Marielle, the technology represents something profound—the validation of their concerns and the dignity of receiving care without unnecessary barriers. In a healthcare system still working to overcome historical gender biases in medicine, these advances signal important progress.
“It shouldn’t be revolutionary to take women’s health concerns seriously,” Dr. Reid said as we parted. “But until it’s the norm everywhere, we’ll keep pushing for better tools and better access.”
And in Exeter, that push is already changing lives, one patient at a time.
