A senior doctor who helped a campaign to save the A&E department at Lewisham Hospital is standing in the European elections.
Dr Chidi Ejimofo, of Bromley, a consultant in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Lewsiham, will stand on behalf of the National Health Action Party (NHA) – a new political group tackling privatisation of the NHS.
He is the third candidate to stand for the party in the May elections, with comedian Rufus Hound and GP Dr Louise Irvine also hoping for a seat.
Dr Ejimofo said he was inspired to stand for the NHA following his experiences with the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign and witnessing the pushing through of Government policies which he claims are “destructive and lacking in medical evidence.”
He said: “I have lived and worked in places where healthcare isn't free and I am very worried that the UK populace are unaware of how close they are to losing this unique institution for good.
“I am passionate about the NHS, about the underlying ethos of providing medical treatment to all free at the point of delivery. Hopefully by standing for the National Health Action Party I can help get this message out.”
The doctor has already had a taste of the limelight after starring in Gareth Malone’s The Choir: Sing While You Work series on BBC as a member of the Lewisham Hospital choir.
NHA was launched last year following concern from health workers over the closure of A&E departments, understaffing and contracts being put to tender.
The European elections are due to take place on May 22.
