Private pancreatitis clinic in London, same-day gastroenterology.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. An acute attack causes severe upper abdominal pain boring through to the back and requires hospital admission — it is not something to manage at home. Most attacks are caused by gallstones or alcohol, and both causes are preventable once identified. Our private gastroenterology clinic in East London offers same-day pancreatitis assessment with a private gastroenterologist, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
Call 999 or go to A&E for sudden severe upper tummy pain with vomiting.
The condition
What is pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. An acute attack causes severe upper abdominal pain boring through to the back and requires hospital admission — it is not something to manage at home. Most attacks are caused by gallstones or alcohol, and both causes are preventable once identified.
- What pancreatitis is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding pancreatitis
Pancreatitis: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Call 999 or go to an emergency department if you have
- severe upper abdominal pain radiating through to the back
- pain relieved by leaning forward and worse lying flat
- persistent vomiting and inability to keep fluids down
- fever, rapid heartbeat or feeling very unwell
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- a distended, tender abdomen, or bruising around the navel or flanks
Acute pancreatitis can progress to organ failure within hours and always needs hospital assessment with blood tests and imaging. Do not attempt to manage severe upper abdominal pain at home. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.
Causes
- Gallstones — around half of cases. A stone blocks the duct where it joins the pancreatic duct.
- Alcohol — most of the remainder, usually after years of heavy drinking or a binge.
- High triglycerides — a recognised and treatable cause, often overlooked.
- Medicines — including azathioprine, some diuretics, valproate and GLP-1 agonists.
- After ERCP, trauma, high calcium, infections, and genetic causes.
- In a proportion no cause is found, and that warrants proper investigation rather than acceptance.
What happens in hospital
- Blood tests — amylase or lipase confirms the diagnosis, plus liver function, calcium, triglycerides and inflammatory markers.
- Ultrasound to look for gallstones; CT if the picture is unclear or complications are suspected.
- Intravenous fluids, pain relief and monitoring — the mainstay of treatment.
- Early feeding is now encouraged rather than prolonged starvation.
- Gallbladder removal during the same admission or within two weeks where gallstones were the cause — delaying it risks a further attack.
Do not leave gallstone pancreatitis untreated
If gallstones caused your attack, the risk of another is substantial — and each attack carries its own risk of serious complications. Cholecystectomy should follow promptly, ideally during the same admission or within two weeks. If you have had gallstone pancreatitis and are still waiting months later with your gallbladder in place, that warrants chasing rather than accepting.
Chronic pancreatitis
Repeated or prolonged inflammation causes permanent scarring, so the pancreas stops producing enough digestive enzymes and insulin.
- Persistent or recurring upper abdominal pain, often worse after eating
- Pale, greasy, foul-smelling stools that float and are hard to flush — steatorrhoea, from undigested fat
- Weight loss despite eating normally, and vitamin deficiencies
- Diabetes, developing as insulin-producing cells are lost
- Alcohol is the commonest cause; smoking independently accelerates it
Living with chronic pancreatitis
- Complete alcohol abstinence and stopping smoking — the two things that most alter the course.
- Pancreatic enzyme replacement (PERT) with every meal and snack containing fat. Doses are commonly too low; if stools are still greasy, the dose needs increasing rather than the diet restricting further.
- Do not follow a very low fat diet. Modern practice is a normal-fat diet with adequate enzymes, because fat restriction causes malnutrition and vitamin deficiency.
- Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and bone density monitoring — osteoporosis is common and under-recognised.
- Diabetes screening at least annually.
- Specialist pain management; opioids are used cautiously.
Gastroenterology services we offer
Expert care under one roof
From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.
Gastroenterology
Consultant gut & liver care.
Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
Camera tests for the gut.
Ultrasound
Abdominal & liver scans.
Private Blood Tests
Diagnostic blood tests, explained.
Private GP
Same-day GP to start your care.
Health MOT
A full private health check.
Simple & reassuring
Seen today, in three easy steps
Book in a minute
Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.
Seen quickly
A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.
Diagnosis & plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.
Private assessment
See a private gastroenterologist for pancreatitis in London
At our private gastroenterology clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private gastroenterologist or pancreatitis doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant gastroenterologist will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about pancreatitis.
Local, private, fast
A private gastroenterology clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private pancreatitis appointment with a gastroenterologist, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private gastroenterology clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and gastroenterology under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private gastroenterologist for pancreatitis — the same day.
Book a private pancreatitis assessment in East London: same-day appointments, gastroenterologist-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Pancreatitis in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private pancreatitis specialist near me in East London?
Our private gastroenterology clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private gastroenterologist or pancreatitis doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private gastroenterologist for pancreatitis the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a gastroenterologist or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private pancreatitis appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the pancreatitis assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private gastroenterologist for pancreatitis?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a gastroenterologist, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private pancreatitis care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.