Rod specialises in the treatment of degenerative disease, trauma, tumours and syringomyelia. He has a patient centred focus. He believes that a reliable and consistent measurement of patient experience and outcome is a critical factor in driving improvements.

Rod Laing was appointed as a Consultant Neurosurgeon with an interest in spinal neurosurgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital in 1995. Since then his practice has expanded to include both complex spinal neurosurgery and minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery, which can often be performed as a day case.

In 2000, Rod was appointed Director of Higher Neurosurgical Training for the Eastern Deanery; in this capacity he was directly involved in neurosurgical training both at local level and at the Royal College of Surgeons in London.

In addition, Rod has been Secretary of the British Cervical Spine Society and brought about the merger of BCSS and the British Association of Spine Surgeons and he has served on the executive of both societies. In 2009, Rod became Clinical director of Neurosurgery and during his tenure he was able to oversee many changes within the Neurosurgical Centre and introduced key initiatives including day case spinal surgery. In 2014, Rod was appointed Clinical Director of Neurosciences at Cambridge University Hospitals NHSFT. In 2016, he was appointed to the Neuroscience Clinical Reference Group advising NHS England.