Dr Chambers (57) became a New Zealand citizen last week in order to be eligible. Originally from Glasgow, he has been at Dunedin Hospital for 20 years.
An advocate for ED facility upgrades and staffing increases, his views are sometimes at odds with those of health board management.
If elected, he would advocate for more hospital beds, the total of which had fallen because services were increasingly provided in the community.
''I believe this has gone too far, and it shows in the business of all hospital wards: delays and cancellations of elective and even at times acute procedures - and not just in the winter.''
The ''right balance'' of resources divided between hospitals and the community needed to be struck.
A disagreement last year over staffing levels saw his right to speak to the media challenged by the health board, which threatened possible disciplinary action, despite the fact he was speaking as a senior doctors' union representative.
The threat was eventually dropped after prolonged negotiation.
Dr Chambers acknowledged his decision to stand had been influenced by the attempt to prevent him speaking out.
''There has been a growth of appointments to positions such as communications managers and advisers whose job it is to keep all the messages positive.
''If an employee speaks out in any capacity implying that the organisation has issues which need resolved, this is viewed negatively.''
He believed being upfront about the issues was healthier and more constructive than keeping them hidden.
''One senior manager asked me had I not realised that by expressing concerns about staffing I was undermining the confidence of the public in the hospital.
''I have an opposite viewpoint.
''I think experienced staff commenting, without exaggeration, and saying the truth, reassures the public.''
A former clinical leader of the department, Dr Chambers even turned to writing poetry in 2010 to express frustration at a lack of progress in reducing waiting times for patients. He would continue working full-time as a specialist if elected.
With less than a week to go until nominations close, Dr Chambers' is one of four so far for the Otago constituency.
Also standing are. - Paul Douglas, of Dunedin; former Otago District Health Board member Mary Gamble, of Central Otago; existing board member Dr Branko Sijnja, of South Otago.
In the Southland constituency, Kaye Crowther, an existing board member, is standing.
Postal voting begins on September 20, closing on October 12 at midday.
