Mr Rick Popert: Consultant Urological Surgeon in London

Education & Experience

Mr Rick Popert has been a Consultant Urological Surgeon at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust since 1996, where they developed an extensive practice in prostate cancer surgery and benign prostatic disease. Over the course of almost three decades, they have established themselves as one of the UK’s most respected authorities in their field.

After retiring from full-time NHS practice in 2019, they continued part-time clinical work at Guy’s Hospital, focusing primarily on prostate diagnostics and surgical management. Alongside this, they serve as Chairman of the Urology Cancer Multidisciplinary Team at London Bridge Hospital, guiding complex case decisions and patient pathways across the region.

Throughout their career, they have consistently introduced new techniques into clinical practice. They led the introduction of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) in 2002, performed more than 1,500 cases, and developed a referral service for patients with very large prostates. In subsequent years, they brought forward minimally invasive options such as Prostate Arterial Embolisation (2014), REZUM Steam Therapy (2019), and more recently, Robotic Aquablation (2022), establishing London’s first NHS Aquablation programme.

Mr Popert’s influence also extends to prostate cancer diagnostics, where they have pioneered advances in transperineal biopsy. They were among the first in the UK to adopt general anaesthetic transperineal biopsies in 2007, MRI-US fusion techniques in 2012, and the PrecisionPoint™ system in 2018. Their work with BXTA and the NHS Innovation Accelerator has been instrumental in shifting national practice towards safer biopsy approaches.

Treatments

• Prostate artery embolisation (PAE)
• Prostate biopsy, including transperineal and MRI-US fusion techniques
• Prostate resection using Holmium Laser (HoLEP)
• REZUM Steam Therapy
• Robotic Aquablation
• Dynamic prostate brachytherapy
• Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (with NeuroSAFE margin assessment)
• Fiducial marker & SpaceOAR insertion

Initial consultation fee: £320
Follow-up consultation fee: £250

Research Interests

Their research work is centred on innovation in prostate cancer diagnostics and the optimisation of surgical treatment for benign and malignant disease. They have been at the forefront of developing and evaluating new biopsy techniques, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy while reducing patient risk. Their collaboration with industry and NHS programmes has focused on scaling effective innovations nationally, ensuring that advanced diagnostic techniques become standard practice across the UK.

Clinical Interests

Clinically, their main focus is the comprehensive management of prostate disease. This includes the surgical treatment of benign prostatic enlargement with both traditional and minimally invasive methods, and the full spectrum of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. They maintain a strong interest in ensuring treatment options balance effectiveness with preservation of quality of life, particularly in reducing side effects such as incontinence or sexual dysfunction following surgery.

Accolades & Awards

In 2019, they were appointed a Fellow of the NHS Innovation Accelerator, recognising their leadership in driving the adoption of safer and more effective prostate biopsy methods across the UK. Their role in developing national practice standards has placed them among the leading figures shaping modern urology.

Memberships & Associations

Mr Popert is actively involved in professional bodies and hospital committees. They chair the Urology Cancer MDT at London Bridge Hospital, where they contribute to strategic service development and patient care pathways. Their influence extends beyond clinical practice into policy and education, supporting the professional development of urologists across the country.