A PROBE is underway which will investigate a complaint made by a mother whose baby girl and four-year-old son were struck off a GPs' register.

Kath Highcock and her children, Siobhan and Matthew (four) were axed from the list of Dr Bansal and Dr Kenny's town-centre practice in January.

The outraged mother revealed to the Star (January 30) how the practice informed her of the decision three days after she had taken Matthew to an emergency doctor.

Kath says both of the tots were ill during the day, and that she tried to make an appointment with the Hall Street practice but was told it was booked up. On the evening, Matthew's condition worsened a Kath rushed him to the emergency doctor, where he was diagnosed with a nasty virus.

Three days later, Kath, of Syston Avenue, Islands Brow, received a letter, which said her children had been removed from the GPs' list, and was later told she had also been struck off.

The practice refused to offer an explanation, leaving Kath demanding answers. She contacted Action Resource, a body set up to advise patients with complaints against the NHS, and a formal letter of complaint was sent to the PCT.

"We're still in the dark about why this has happened, "Hopefully this will give us some answers" says Kath (39), who has registered with a new family doctor.

A spokesperson for the St Helens Primary Care Trust said: "The PCT has received a copy of Mrs Highcock's letter which I understand is now being dealt with by the practice's complaints procedure."

The spokesperson added that Mrs Highcock should contact the PCT if she is not satisfied with the outcome.