MB ChB Manch 1950; FRCS Edin 1962; DObst 1964; MRCOG 1967.
After qualifying, Atherton held house positions at MRI, Withington Hospital, WythenshaweHospital, Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, Lancaster Royal Infirmary and Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Atherton later was Registrar at Lancaster Royal Infirmary and St James' Hospital Balham. He was then appointed gynaecologist at Park East Hospital New York and gynaecological registrar at Greenwich District Hospital.