Laura Shilton

HCPC‑registered Professional Sonographer with postgraduate qualifications (PGC & PGD) in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound from King's College London. I have extensive experience across NHS departments, including substantive posts, high‑pressure locum work, and service‑development roles. My background includes business ownership, governance, procurement, negotiation and policy development, giving me a strong appreciation of operational efficiency, service improvement and patient‑centred care.

I maintain broad clinical competence across General, Gynaecological and Vascular ultrasound, with a long history of supporting training, mentoring and departmental development.

Sonographer – General Ultrasound Service Re‑establishment - The Balfour Hospital, Orkney - Orkney

(2026-04 - 2026-09)

• Re‑established a previously failed General Ultrasound service, restoring safe, reliable imaging provision for the island population.
• Regular remote commuting from mainland UK, maintaining continuity of service despite geographical challenges.
• Cleared a significant backlog of routine and urgent ultrasound referrals, stabilising waiting times and improving patient flow.
• Worked autonomously within a small team, adapting to limited on‑site resources and ensuring high‑quality imaging standards.
• Supported local staff, refreshed protocols, and helped rebuild confidence in the service through consistent delivery and patient‑focused practice.

Lead Non‑Obstetric Sonographer - Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWBH)

(2025-02 - 2026-04)

• Lead sonographer across three hospital sites, responsible for large team of sonographers, recruitment, inductions, job planning, rotas, mandatory training compliance, annual PDRs, staff development and involvement in disciplinary processes.
• Established Trust‑wide Non‑Obstetric Ultrasound protocols; managed all non‑obstetric ultrasound complaints including direct patient resolution.
• Organised monthly Trust training sessions, including room bookings and external speakers.
• Coordinated daily departmental operations, liaising with directorates, staff and external providers; covered clinical lists during staff shortages.
• Led multi‑manufacturer ultrasound machine trials and secured procurement of eight new machines across three sites; managed servicing, probe issues, software updates and user concerns.
• Continued regular clinical scanning in General and Gynaecological ultrasound; mentor for Birmingham City University and member of the Non‑Obstetric Ultrasound module steering group.
• Responsible for implementing the national HCC service at SWBH and establishing a new one‑stop Urology haematuria service.

Advanced Practitioner Sonographer – Bank (Fixed Enhanced Rate) - Wye Valley NHS Trust

(2017-12 - 2025-01)

• Performed the majority of emergency and acutely ill patient ultrasound examinations.
• Routine and complex scanning across Abdomen (incl. elastography trials), Renal (incl. transplant), Pelvis (TA/TV), Testes and full‑leg DVT assessments.
• Worked independently across main Radiology and remote sites; authorised CT requests under protocol.
• Supported training for students, qualified sonographers and SPRs; provided second opinions and pathway guidance.
• Troubleshot ultrasound machine issues and supported departmental workflow.
• Well‑regarded member of the Radiology team with numerous compliments from service users.

Locum Sonographer - Shilton5 Ltd – Self‑Employed Locum Sonographer

(2013-01 - 2017-12)

Full‑time locum work across multiple NHS Trusts including Heartlands, Worcester Acute and Gloucestershire Hospitals.

• Maintained and broadened skills across varied patient groups and ultrasound platforms.
• Managed all aspects of running a successful locum business: sourcing placements, negotiating contracts, logistics, studying local protocols, accounts and competencies.

Advanced Practitioner Sonographer - Wye Valley NHS Trust

(2012-02 - 2013-01)

• Independently scanned a wide range of general medical, GP, outpatient, inpatient and emergency referrals.
• Gynaecology: subfertility, PMB, pelvic pain.
• Obstetrics: EPU, NT, anomaly scans, foetal heart, growth and Doppler.
• Managed protocoling, prioritisation, urgent inpatient additions, and coordination of staff cover and equipment repairs.

Sonographer Student / Advanced Practitioner - Kent & Canterbury Hospital

(2009-10 - 2012-02)

• Gained extensive experience in Obstetric, Gynaecological, General, Small Parts and Vascular DVT scanning across GP, A&E, wards and RAC clinics.
• Rotated through Foetal Medicine and developed strong early‑career scanning competence.

Radiographer - Kent & Canterbury Hospital

(2008-07 - 2009-10)

• Worked across general radiography, A&E, theatres, mobiles, fluoroscopy and special procedures.
• CT‑trained; undertook cannulation.
• Sole overnight departmental responsibility including emergency non‑contrast CTs.

Student Radiographer (Student Representative for all 3 years) - Kent & Canterbury Hospital / Canterbury Christ Church University

(2005-09 - 2008-07)

• Awarded the Agfa‑Gevaert Prize for commitment and dedication to study (2007/08).

Internet Marketing – Home‑based - IT Solution Ltd (BigPockets.co.uk)

(2004-05 - 2005-09)

• Developed independent marketing strategies, identified new products and supported exclusive European releases.

Self‑Employed - Career Break

(1998-10 - 2004-05)

• Raised three children.
• Designed, built and maintained a successful web‑based business launching Jack Links Beef Jerky into the UK.

Various Roles - Albert Fisher, Faversham

(1995-08 - 1998-10)

• Consignment and financial accounting for global growers.
• Coordinated British and French grower imports for major supermarkets.
• IT support and design of automated consignment accounting system (Rubicon).

Sales Coordinator - Palmer and Harvey Chilled & Frozen Ltd

(1993-09 - 1995-07)

• Coordinated UK field sales team activities; senior customer service responsibilities.

Solo Travel - Travel – South Africa & Zimbabwe - South Africa & Zimbabwe

(1990-01 - 1990-09)

• Solo travel; gained significant life experience.

Owner Operator - Total Petrol Station - Brierley Hill

Owned and ran a successful forecourt business in Brierley Hill.

• Youngest recipient of Total's Operator of the Year Award

Owner - Other Business Ventures

• High Street Pet Shop
• Mobile Pet Food Delivery
• Livery Yard & Riding Stables

PGD - Medical Ultrasound - King's College London (2011-01 - 2011-06)

PGC - Obstetric & Gynaecological Ultrasound - King's College London (2010-01 - 2010-09)

BSc (Hons) - Medical Imaging - Canterbury Christ Church University (2005-09 - 2008-07)

Biosciences Foundation Year - Biosciences - Canterbury Christ Church University (2004-09 - 2005-07)

City & Guilds - Word Processing – Distinction NVQ Database - Stourbridge College (1994 - 1994)

GCSEs and O‑levels - Multiple subjects - Redhill School, Stourbridge (1984 - 1984)