Dr David J Atherton MA (Cantab) MB BChir FRCP
Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist

David is an experienced children's skin specialist.

David was born in 1949. His father was a single-handed general practitioner; the surgery was in the family home. He did his medical training at Cambridge University and Guy's Hospital, London. After passing the Membership examination of the Royal College of Physicians in 1976, he specialised in dermatology, and trained in the speciality at Guy's Hospital and at St John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin. He undertook research projects at the Institute of Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital, principally in the field of childhood eczema. He also had an extended period of training at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the newly developing field of children's dermatology.

At the time of his appointment as consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1982, David was the UK's first full-time specialist in paediatric dermatology. Following that appointment, he worked hard to build up a department able to provide specialised services for children with every type of serious skin problem. Children with skin diseases that were either difficult to diagnose or difficult to treat were referred to the new department from hospitals all over the UK. He was simultaneously appointed as consultant in paediatric dermatology at St John's Institute of Dermatology in St Thomas' Hospital, London, which was the successor to the former St John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin.

He remained actively involved in research, and has published 140 papers and 31 reviews in dermatology and paediatric journals, 32 chapters in books on children's dermatology and 2 books for parents of children with eczema.

2 years ago, David resigned from his NHS work, but continues to see children with skin problems privately at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, at the BUPA Cromwell Hospital in West London and at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor. He deals with the full spectrum of serious skin diseases that occur in children and adolescents. In addition, he has special interests in eczema, haemangiomas and a variety of birthmarks, particularly pigmented birthmarks. He works closely with many colleagues in other paediatric specialities, particularly plastic surgery, allergy and nutrition.

He was active in the establishment of the British Society for Paediatric Dermatology, of which he was the first president. He remains closely involved in the work of the society, which promotes the development of high quality services for children with skin diseases, throughout the UK.

David has also worked closely with many patient support groups, including DEBRA (epidermolysis bullosa), Caring Matters Now (for congenital melanocytic naevi), the Birthmark Support Group, the National Eczema Society and the Ectodermal Dysplasia Society.

David's wife, Guang, is a Chinese doctor who grew up in Shanghai and trained there in traditional Chinese medicine, which she continues to practise. They have 4 sons.

Appointments can be made by:

• calling his secretary Beth White for appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital: +44(0) 207 193 7568 (Fax +44(0)207 692 7910)
• calling the BUPA Cromwell Hospital: +44(0) 207 460 5700
• calling the Parkside Hospital: +44(0) 208 8971 8026
• by e-mail to dratherton@btinternet.com

Great Ormond Street Hospital is ideal for those coming from north, east and south-east London. There is good access from Euston, King's Cross and Waterloo stations. Nearest tube stations are Holborn and Russell Square.

The BUPA Cromwell Hospital is well located for those living in west and south-west London and is easily accessed from the M4. Nearest tube station is Earl's Court.

The Parkside Hospital is ideally located in the Wimbledon area, in Putney, Wandsworth, Kingston on Thames and Surrey in general. Access (Directions here) is straightforward from the A3 (dual carriageway from M25 junction 10). The hospital provides free parking. The Parkside Hospital is a short taxi ride from Wimbledon mainline and tube station, or via bus route 93.
- A GP's or specialist's letter of referral is preferred but not always essential. - Dr Atherton's secretary is Beth White, who can be contacted by telephone on
+44(0) 07193 7568 or by fax on +44(0) 207 692 7910
or by e-mail (click here)