BSc Manch 1941, MB ChB 1944, MD 1960; FRCGP 1974.
Ashworth was born in Prestwich on 5 January 1921 and was educated at Manchester Grammar School and the University of Manchester. After holding house positions at MRI and Townley's Hospital Bolton, Ashworth was a founding staff member of Derbishire House Health Centre and was appointed Honorary Lecturer in General Practice at the University of Manchester in 1969. A fellow of Manchester Medical Society Ashworth was president of the Section of General Practice.