International Day of Radiography - Laura's story

For International Day of Radiography, we heard from Laura Spencer, a site lead radiographer, about her career and why she loves radiography.

I’m Laura Spencer, one of the site lead radiographers at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. My journey into radiography began in 2009 when I started my training at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen. After graduating, I moved to Yorkshire to begin my career at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

I started out in general x-ray, spending two years developing a strong foundation before training in computed tomography (CT). I then became a rotational radiographer, working across both x-ray and computed tomography. This meant working all shifts, including some as a lone worker, and required a solid understanding of every type of case that could come through the door. The role was incredibly varied, and I was constantly challenged to develop and refine my skills. On any given day, I could be imaging a premature newborn or a centenarian.

As my career progressed, I moved to Northumbria Healthcare in 2017, where I continued as a rotational radiographer between x-ray and CT. At Northumbria, I was supported in my professional development to complete further education, and in 2019 I completed my PgCert in Medical Imaging (Computed Tomography) at Bradford University.

My interest in healthcare started at a young age. A work experience placement in an x-ray department confirmed that radiology was the career for me. The combination of working directly with patients and using advanced technology to produce high-quality diagnostic images was, and still is, fascinating. One of the things I love most about radiography is how much the field evolves. Throughout my career, I’ve seen remarkable changes in technology, processes, and patient care, all of which keep the role fresh and exciting.

As a Site Lead Radiographer, my days are varied, balancing administrative and clinical responsibilities. I oversee a team of radiographers and assistants, managing the daily operations of our department. Collaboration is also a big part of my role. I work closely with other site leads, modality leads, engineers, and a range of other healthcare professionals.

No two days are ever the same. I might be creating staff rotas, attending HR reviews, or sitting in board meetings, before putting on my clinical hat and dealing directly with patients. In a single shift, I might CT a trauma patient from resus, image for a guided biopsy, x-ray a child with an ankle fracture, and perform a nasogastric tube check chest x-ray.

At the heart of everything I do is patient care. Building rapport with patients helps me to provide a positive experience and produce the highest quality diagnostic images to support their diagnosis and treatment.

I’m hugely proud to be a diagnostic radiographer and to work alongside such a skilled, compassionate team here at Northumbria. Radiography continues to challenge, reward, and inspire me. I feel very fortunate to call it my career.