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Coming into hospital

What is an ERCP?

ERCP stands for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography. It is a way of examining the tubes that drain bile from the liver and pancreatic fluid into the small bowel. Bile and pancreatic fluid are used by the body to help digest fats and proteins (bile ducts, pancreatic ducts and gall bladder: see diagram in the section “what happens during the ERCP”).

The procedure may be diagnostic or therapeutic:

Diagnostic ERCP gives information about the bile ducts and the pancreatic ducts. It may show for example, narrowing, obstruction or gall stones

Therapeutic ERCP means the endoscopist may need to undertake minor operations during the procedure such as sphincterotomy, stent insertion or gallstone removal.

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Update for visitors

Visiting restrictions are in place at our hospitals to stop the spread of norovirus. These restrictions will be in place until further notice.

The following wards are closed to visitors:

There are four exceptions only to the restrictions. These are:

We understand these restrictions can be difficult when a loved one is unwell. The restrictions will be reviewed daily and lifted as soon as it is safe. Thank you for your understanding as we try to reduce the spread of norovirus in our hospitals.