A CAMPAIGNER who helped win the battle against the Health Secretary over Lewisham Hospital is to stand for the European Parliament.

Lewisham GP Dr Louise Irvine has announced she will be running as a Euro candidate in London for the new National Health Action Party, which opposes privatisation of the NHS.

News Shopper: Campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice on October 28, picture courtesy of Simon Way

The Save Lewisham Hospital chairwoman helped lead High Court and Court of Appeal victories against Jeremy Hunt’s plans to downgrade A&E and maternity services at Lewisham Hospital.

Dr Irvine, who works as a GP at Amersham Vale Practice, New Cross, said: “I am standing because I care passionately about defending the NHS.

“I've been a London GP for 20 years and I have seen the damage done by this government's policies of top down reorganisation, cuts and privatisation.

“I helped lead the successful Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign but I know that defending NHS services cannot stop at the local level - it has to be tackled at the national and European level.”

News Shopper: Dr Louise Irvine pictured with Dr Brian Fisher at a Save Lewisham Hospital protest

The National Health Action Party was launched by doctors and health care workers in 2012 and founded by former independent MP for Wyre Forest, Dr Richard Taylor, and co-chair of the NHS Consultants’ Association Dr Clive Peedell.

Dr Irvine would need around 200,000 votes to become a Euro MP and claim one of the eight seats for the London consituency on May 22.