AN investigation is under way after a woman claimed she was told to take painkillers for a headache when she was in fact suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Bosses at Cleveland Healthcall said last night they would interview the doctor who spoke to Lorraine Hyde when she rang at 2am suffering from severe pains in her head.

The 47-year-old said she was told to take two paracetamol. She called back later and this time an ambulance was sent to her home in Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, but the paramedic did not think she needed hospital treatment.

The next day, the pain was so bad she called in her own GP and she was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital.

Even then, she claims there was a 12-hour wait before the life-threatening condition was diagnosed and she underwent emergency surgery for internal bleeding.

The scare happened two weeks ago and Mrs Hyde is now recovering.

Dr Michael Sadler, medical director of Primecare which runs Cleveland Healthcall, a round-the-clock GP service, said: "I am very sorry Mrs Hyde suffered a serious illness but am pleased to hear she is now on the road to recovery. If our actions in any way contributed to her distress, then we apologise.

"A complaint has been made and we are going to interview the doctor concerned."

The investigation is expected to be completed next week.