MB ChB Manch 1963; MRCS Eng LRCP Lond 1963; DObst RCOG 1965; FRCS Edin 1969; FRCR 1976.
Allan was born in London and attended Brentwood School in Essex before studying at the University of Manchester Medical School. He held house positions in the 1960s at Withington Hospital, Hope Hospital, Stockport Infirmary and MRI. In May 1968 Allan was appointed RSO at Manchester Jewish Hospital.