MB ChB Liverpool 1957; MRCS LRCP 1957; DLO 1962; DMJ 1967; DIH 1975; FFOM RCP Lond 1985.
Gatley held junior positions at Walton Hospital and Liverpool Stanley Hospital before working in general practice from 1959. From 1961 to 1962 he was part time lecturer in ENT at the University of Liverpool and was later clinical assistant in ENT at Victoria Infirmary, Northwich, and in medicine at Salford Royal Hospital. Gatley was occupational health medical officer for Salford Hospital Management Committee. He was later appointed consultant physician in occupational medicine to North Manchester General Hospital and for North West Regional Health Authority.