GWENT Healthcare Trust is investigating the alleged conduct of a GP after a baby with meningitis was left waiting for an hour and a half at an out-of-hours clinic because no doctor was available.

Six-month-old Tana Jones was finally diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis 12 hours after showing symptoms such as extremely high temperature and clammy hands and feet.

Gwent Healthcare Trust launched the investigation following a formal complaint from his parents, Rachel and Jason Jones.

After the Argus broke the story of Tana's dangerous wait two weeks ago, a Gwent Healthcare Trust spokesman admitted no doctor was available to see the sick baby.

In a letter to Mr and Mrs Jones, of Woodland Street, Blaenavon, the head of the Gwent out-of-hours service, Sian Miller, said an investigation was under way and would look at:

Why it allegedly took more than an hour and a half for someone to contact the family after they had called the service for advice.

The alleged conduct of the out-of-hours doctor at Nevill Hall Hospital when they arrived for an 11.40pm appointment.

Why Tana was not seen by another doctor until 1.10am. A Gwent Healthcare Trust spokesman confirmed all these matters were being investigated. The investigation is expected to be complete within four weeks.

The Jones family first contacted the out-of-hours service for advice at 9.30pm on Sunday, January 29. They were only contacted at 11.10pm, when they were told to go to Nevill Hall for an 11.40pm appointment. They finally saw a doctor at 1.10am the following day, and he admitted Tana to the hospital and contacted a consultant to see the sick baby at 9.30am. A lumbar puncture test and CT scan confirmed Tana had the infection.

Tana's parents feared their son could lose his hearing or sight after he was diagnosed with the virus, which can damage the functioning of the senses. Tana was placed on a high dosage of intravenous antibiotics and given steroid treatment to stop any swelling of the brain.

Mrs Jones, 30, told the Argus: "We are very lucky, Tana is fine now. It could have been a lot worse and the extra time we had to wait could have been vital."

She said Tana was "back to his normal self" following the scare.