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Private ERCP in London, by an interventional gastroenterologist.

A therapeutic procedure - not a screening test - by a high-volume interventional gastroenterologist, with HPB surgical support in-house if needed.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private ERCP costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£5,000-£12,000, with findings on the day.

Procedure Indicative range
Diagnostic ERCP £3,500–£7,000
ERCP + stone removal £5,000–£10,000
ERCP + biliary stent £6,000–£12,000
ERCP + sphincterotomy £4,500–£9,000
Pancreatic-duct ERCP £6,000–£12,000
Repeat ERCP for stent change £4,000–£8,000

Prices vary by unit, the anaesthetic choice, whether stents or cholangioscopy are used, and the length of stay.

The problem

Bile-duct stones, strictures, leaks - the wrong operator makes it worse.

ERCP is one of the highest-stakes endoscopic procedures. Volume and experience determine safety far more than any technology. Look for interventionalists doing it often.

  • Already had an MRCP?

    Bring it with you. It helps to confirm whether ERCP is the right next step, or whether a different intervention is safer.

  • Cholangitis and unwell?

    Acute cholangitis with sepsis is a 999 emergency. Once stabilised, transfer to a unit that can do urgent biliary drainage is usual.

What it treats

The problems ERCP is designed to fix.

ERCP is a therapy - stones out, strictures open, leaks stented. These are the common reasons for having it.

  • Gallstones in the bile duct

    Removed in the same sitting via sphincterotomy and balloon extraction.

  • Bile-duct strictures

    Dilated and stented, with brush cytology to look for malignancy.

  • Bile-duct leaks

    Post-cholecystectomy or post-transplant leaks stented to divert bile and heal.

  • Suspected pancreatic or biliary tumours

    Tissue sampling and stenting for obstruction, in tandem with EUS and imaging.

  • Chronic pancreatitis

    Pancreatic-duct stones and strictures treated to relieve pain and obstruction.

  • Pre-op bile drainage

    Stenting to bring bilirubin down safely before HPB surgery.

  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis

    Dominant strictures dilated and brushed for surveillance.

  • Red flag: acute cholangitis with sepsis

    999 for urgent ERCP - biliary drainage within 24-48 hours can be life-saving.

Procedure types

Not all ERCPs are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Diagnostic ERCP

    Cannulation and cholangiography to define the ducts when non-invasive imaging is inconclusive - now uncommon as a stand-alone.

  • Stone removal

    Sphincterotomy, balloon or basket extraction of common bile-duct stones.

  • Biliary stent

    Plastic or self-expanding metal stents to relieve obstruction from strictures or tumours.

  • Sphincterotomy

    A small cut in the sphincter of Oddi to widen the opening for stones or drainage.

  • Pancreatic-duct ERCP

    Stones, strictures or leaks in the pancreatic duct treated by dilation and stenting.

  • Cholangioscopy (SpyGlass)

    A miniature scope inside the bile duct for direct visualisation, targeted biopsy and electrohydraulic lithotripsy.

  • Post-transplant ERCP

    Anastomotic strictures and leaks after liver transplant, in a specialist transplant-experienced unit.

  • Repeat stent change

    Scheduled exchange of plastic stents every 3-6 months to prevent blockage and cholangitis.

Safety and eligibility

ERCP has real risks, and they are planned for carefully.

Pancreatitis, bleeding, infection and perforation are all real. So is the benefit when ERCP is the right call. The details are planned in advance.

  • ERCP carries real risk

    Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurs in around 3-5%, and bleeding, infection and perforation are all recognised. This is a therapeutic procedure, not a screening test.

  • Weigh risk vs alternatives

    MRCP is the diagnostic test of choice for the ducts; EUS is best for staging and tissue. ERCP is generally used when an intervention is planned.

  • Fasted from midnight

    Nothing to eat after midnight. Small sips of water may be allowed up to 2 hours before - the unit will confirm.

  • Sedation or general anaesthetic

    Deep sedation with an anaesthetist present, or a full GA. Choice depends on the case, your comorbidities and the expected duration.

  • Overnight observation often

    Many patients stay overnight to watch for pancreatitis and bleeding. Day-case discharge is possible for straightforward stent changes.

  • Anticoagulation planned carefully

    Warfarin, DOACs and antiplatelets need timed pausing before sphincterotomy - never stop these on your own.

  • Pregnancy is a special case

    ERCP in pregnancy is possible with lead shielding and minimised fluoroscopy, in specialist units only.

  • Driving restriction 24 hrs

    No driving, alcohol or important decisions for 24 hours after sedation or anaesthetic. Arrange someone to take you home.

  • Not a routine screening test

    ERCP is never used to screen for cancer or as a first-line diagnostic. If someone is offering that, seek a second opinion.

Reading your report

An ERCP report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

However complex the intervention, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A London consultant interventional gastroenterologist reviewing a cholangiogram

A quiet reminder

You will be told the headline on the day - the cytology detail takes a little longer.

Ask your clinician to talk you through it at your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and prior imaging

    Your details, the indication for ERCP, and the MRCP, CT or EUS findings that led to it.

  2. 02 Technique

    Approach, contrast and interventions

    Cannulation approach, contrast used, sphincterotomy, stents deployed, stones extracted, brush cytology or biopsies taken.

  3. 03 Findings

    Ducts, stones, strictures, cytology

    The biliary and pancreatic ducts described, any stones or strictures characterised, and cytology results when back.

  4. 04 Impression

    Read this first

    Normal, findings, or next intervention - the interventionalist’s conclusion and the plan for follow-up ERCP or surgery.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Common questions about ERCP.

Quick answers on cost, sedation, risks, stents and results.

  • ERCP or MRCP - which do I need?

    MRCP is the diagnostic test: a non-invasive MRI of the bile and pancreatic ducts with no radiation and no risk of pancreatitis. ERCP is the treatment: it puts a scope into the duct so stones can be removed or a stent placed. In modern practice MRCP comes first, with ERCP only if an intervention is needed.

  • What are the risks of ERCP?

    The main risk is post-ERCP pancreatitis, which affects around 3-5% of patients and is usually mild but can be severe. Bleeding after sphincterotomy, infection (cholangitis), and perforation are also recognised. Overall serious-complication rates are around 5-10% in most series - which is why ERCP is never done for a diagnosis alone if MRCP can answer the question.

  • Sedation or general anaesthetic?

    Both are used. Deep sedation with an anaesthetist present is standard for shorter cases in fit patients. A general anaesthetic is preferred for long or complex cases, cholangioscopy, post-transplant work, or anyone at high aspiration risk. This is usually planned with the anaesthetist before the day.

  • How much does a private ERCP cost in London?

    Adding stone removal or a stent takes it to £5,000-£12,000 depending on complexity.

  • Do I need a referral?

    ERCP is arranged after a specialist consultation so the interventionalist can review the MRCP or CT, confirm the intervention needed, and consent you for it.

  • What are the fasting rules?

    Nothing to eat from midnight before the procedure. Small sips of clear water may be allowed up to 2 hours before - the unit will confirm. If you are diabetic or on blood-thinners, tailored instructions are usually given.

  • Is ERCP safe in pregnancy?

    It can be done in pregnancy when the indication is urgent - most often for bile-duct stones causing cholangitis - using lead shielding and minimised fluoroscopy in a specialist unit. It is not used electively during pregnancy.

  • When can I drive after ERCP?

    Not for 24 hours after sedation or a general anaesthetic. You will also need someone to take you home. Most people are back to normal activities the next day if there is no pancreatitis.

  • When is a stent needed?

    A stent is placed when the bile duct is blocked and cannot be cleared - typically for tumours, tight strictures, or when a large stone cannot be removed in one sitting. Plastic stents are usually swapped every 3-6 months; metal stents can stay for a year or more.

  • When should I see a GP - or call 999?

    Call 999 for fever with jaundice and confusion after ERCP - that is acute cholangitis and needs emergency assessment. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting or black stools in the first 48 hours also need urgent review. For routine questions about symptoms or planned follow-up, see your GP or the team that treated you.

Related content

Looking for something different?

In practice, in London

How ERCP tends to unfold when you go private

With ercp, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. Public provision for ERCP is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.

A typical private booking for ERCP in London starts with a consultant conversation - sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For ercp specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

Fit matters more than people expect. For ERCP, the right consultant depends on what you actually need - a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. If a test isn’t the right next step, it is worth establishing that before you book anything.