THE North-East cancer specialist standing against David Cameron has said his National Health Action Party could play a crucial role in any coalition government.

Speaking at the launch of the National Health Action (NHA) Party’s manifesto, co-leader Dr Clive Peedell, a consultant at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, said: “The prospect of a hung Parliament could put MPs who are independent of the main parties in a very powerful position whoever forms the next government.

“Even just a couple of NHA MPs could make a huge difference, standing up for our NHS. Health is the top election issue. Voters should use the ballot box to send a clear message - stop running down and selling off our NHS.”

Dr Peedell, who is standing in David Cameron’s constituency of Witney, Oxfordshire, said his party is the only one fully addressing the £30bn funding gap facing the NHS.

“We're the only party that is talking about an immediate cash injection for the NHS; not in two years or by the end of the parliament but right now. We are the only party that is prepared to back up its pledges with a real commitment.

In an attack on the Tory mantra of a strong NHS relying on a strong economy, Dr Peedell said: “We need a strong NHS for a strong economy. The NHS is not a drag on the economy. Investing in healthcare stimulates economic growth and keeps the workforce healthy, while austerity increases the need for health services and drags down our NHS. The NHS isn't unsustainable or unaffordable. It's under-funded. We spend the least of all G7 nations on health.”

The NHA Party, was launched in 2012 by NHS staff and members of the public in opposition to the coalition's NHS reorganisation,

The Party is fielding just a dozen candidates.