Alment , Sir , Edward Anthony John , 1922-2002 , Knight , obstetrician and gynaecologist

Edward Anthony John Alment, known as Tony, was born in 1922, the son of a Watford GP. He was educated at Marlborough College and trained at St Bartholomew's Hospital, qualifying in 1945. After posts in London, at St Bartholomew's and Queen Charlotte's Hospitals, and a spell of National Service in the RAF, he was appointed to Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals in 1960, where he remained as consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist until 1985. In the 1970s he was known for his recognition of the importance of feminist ideas about women's health, and was an advocate of the establishment of special abortion clinics. He was also interested and involved in healthcare organisation and management. He joined the Oxford Regional Health Authority in 1969, serving until 1976. In 1976 he chaired the Inquiry into Competence to Practice and also served as a member of the Maternity Services Advisory Committee and the CASPE research project into clinical budgeting. He was knighted in 1980. Sir Anthony served as Honorary Secretary of the RCOG from 1968-1973, as President from 1978-1981 and as Honorary Cellarer from 1983-1990. He died in March 2002.