News

Westmead Private gastroenterologist performs first ERCP procedure

Jul 07, 2020

Westmead Private Hospital is celebrating another surgical milestone with the first Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) procedure being performed this month.

The complex ERCP was led by gastroenterologist Professor Michael Bourke and is an important advancement for Westmead Private, as the procedure was previously only performed at public hospitals.

ERCP allows doctors to see the pancreatic and bile ducts inside a patient’s body. It can help identify the cause of a problem, whether a patient needs surgery and, if so, which surgery is best.

Chief Executive Officer Mike Flatley said the ERCP was another example of Westmead Private’s commitment to surgical excellence and providing patients with access to the very latest technology.

“We are thrilled Professor Bourke and his team were able to perform the ERCP right here at Westmead Private, in one of our state of the art operating theatres,” Mr Flatley said.

“Private patients in Western Sydney can now access this procedure in a private hospital - with the excellent standard of care they know to expect with Ramsay Health Care.”

“Westmead Private remains committed to providing the very best in health care, and this is further demonstrated by our continued expansion with the Westmead Health Precinct.”

The most common reasons for ERCP include jaundice, light stool and dark urine, stones in the bile or pancreas duct, or a lesion or tumour in the pancreas, gallbladder, or liver.