Dr Forton qualified from University College London in 1993 and trained in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and General Medicine at St Mary's, Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals, London. During his training he was appointed as a Research Fellow and subsequently, as a Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London, performing scientific research and clinical trials in the area of viral hepatitis. He was awarded a PhD from Imperial College London in 2004 and was the recipient of the Dame Sheila Sherlock Research Medal.

He was appointed to St George's Hospital as Consultant in 2005. His clinical practice today encompasses all areas of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, including the investigation of indigestion, abdominal pain and change of bowel habit. Dr Forton has particular interests in the investigation and management of abnormal liver function tests, fatty liver, chronic liver disease, Fibroscan, liver cancer and cirrhosis.

He maintains a busy endoscopic practice in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and is skilled in ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) to diagnose and treat gallstones and pancreaticobiliary cancers. He also performs other therapeutic procedures including stricture dilatation, metal stent insertion, treatment of varices and polypectomy. He has previously worked within the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

Dr Forton maintains a strong research interest and leads a clinical trials team, investigating new therapies in liver disease at St George's Hospital. He has teaching responsibilities and has served as an external examiner for medical finals. He is currently Associate Medical Director for Research at St Georges and has been appointed Reader in Hepatology.

His research has been presented at international meetings and has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals.