Dr James Laban is a highly respected and experienced dual-certified consultant neurosurgeon. He has in interest in state-of-the-art spine, brain and peripheral nerve surgery, using minimally-invasive techniques, robotics and computer-guidance.
He was Director of Neurosurgery at St George’s University Hospital, London, one of the world’s largest teaching hospitals and neurosurgical centre of excellence. He was appointed Honorary Professor in Neurosurgery for his international work before moving to Australia in 2018.
He now lives and works in Sydney with rooms at North Shore Private Hospital, Dee Why and the Central Coast.
Whilst studying medicine at the world-leading Imperial College London, Dr Laban undertook a further research degree in neuroscience. He received the prestigious national Wolfson Scholarship and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Honours, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
Dr Laban was chosen for postgraduate studies in neurosurgery at London’s top hospitals, including the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital and St George's University Hospital. During this time, he achieved the highest marks in both the U.K. and European written examinations.
Following qualification as a specialist neurosurgeon, Dr Laban was awarded the HCA International Foundation and Codman Neurosurgical Scholarships. He furthered his skills and knowledge at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, undertaking two Fellowships in the fields of neuro-oncology and spinal surgery.
As Director of Neurosurgery at St George’s University Hospital, London, one of the world’s largest teaching hospitals and neurosurgical centre of excellence, Dr Laban has treated patients with the most complex neurosurgical conditions from all around the world. He was educational and clinical governance lead, and faculty board member of the Health Education England Neurosurgery Training Committee and the Neurosurgical Specialist Advisory Group. In 2017, in recognition of his international work, he was appointed Honorary Professor of Neurosurgery at Cangzhou People’s Hospital, Hebei, China.
Dr Laban has also been honoured with Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is a member of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, the Society of British Neurological Surgeons and the Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology. He has worked as a reviewer for several international journals and presented and published nationally and internationally.
Dr Laban's practice services spinal surgery and neuro-oncological surgery, surgery for back and neck pain, treatment of sciatica, radiculopathy and fluorescence image-guided tumour surgery. His practice also covers hydrocephalus, neurovascular and peripheral nerve surgery.
In 2005, Dr Laban became one of first Australians to have reached the Magnetic North Pole on foot. He is a qualified ski and tennis instructor and enjoys surfing and logic.