Liverpool Hope Logo Liverpool Hope Logo
Liverpool Hope Logo

Hope Colleague Remembered

entrance to liverpool women's hospital

Liverpool Hope University has praised one of its ‘loyal’ supporters who has sadly passed away in recent days. 

Highly respected Robert Atlay, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with more than 40 years professional experience, served on Hope’s Board of Regents. 

The Regents support Hope’s ‘Strategic Development’ plans and also help to connect the University to other people, networks and organisations who might be able to contribute to its fundamental missions and values. 

Dr Atlay - known as ‘Bob’ to his friends - also served with distinction on Hope’s University Council and will be missed by all who knew him. 

Professor Gerald Pillay, Hope’s Vice-Chancellor and Rector, described him as a ‘very good man and loyal supporter, with a terrific sense of humour’. 

Professor Pillay adds: “Dr Atlay was always very proud of our University.”

Dr Atlay initially studied medicine at the University of Liverpool’s Medical School between 1954 and 1960, and was passionate about improving clinical services for women across Liverpool. 

It was his campaigning that was the driving force behind the creation of the Liverpool Women’s Hospital in 1995. He was also the Hospital’s first Medical Director. 

He was appointed by a number of Secretaries of State to serve on the Maternity Services Advisory Committee, the National Transplant Panel and the English National Board of Nursing Midwifery and Health.

Dr Atlay was also High Sheriff of Merseyside between 2003 and 2004 and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Merseyside in 2003. 

And after a stellar 41 years working within the NHS - 31 of those years as a consultant - Dr Atlay retired in 2001. 

Kathy Thomson, Chief Executive of Liverpool Women’s Hospital, told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "Bob Atlay was an important and influential figure and one of the driving forces in in the development of women's health, bringing together the obstetrics and gynaecological services in Liverpool, culminating in the development of the Liverpool Women's Hospital.

"His legacy lives on, and the Liverpool Women's Hospital remains one of foremost centres of excellence in Europe."


Published on 25/04/2022