Mrs Balmbra died at Wansbeck Hospital (picture, The Journal)

Diabetic Matilda Balmbra, 77, was taken to Alnwick Infirmary by ambulance after collapsing at her nearby home.

Her family claims the GP on duty said his contract prevented him from treating ambulance patients.

However, health officials said that after assessment she was transferred to Wansbeck General Hospital which had the correct facilities for her treatment.

There is no full accident and emergency department at Alnwick Hospital, and on Boxing Day, when Mrs Balmbra was taken ill, out-of hours cover was provided by Newcastle-based Northern Doctors Urgent Care (NDUC).

All doctors who work for the service are fully-qualified GPs.

Mrs Balmbra died on Wednesday at Wansbeck General Hospital.

Her niece, Alnwick independent councillor Elisabeth Haddow, criticised out-of-hours cover in Northumberland

She said: "The level of care given to the people of Alnwick is appalling.

Formal investigation

"I have had grave concerns about out-of-hours cover in this area for a long time.

"We have been promised things by the health trust, which simply have not materialised."

On Friday a meeting took place between senior representatives from NDUC, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, Northumberland Care Trust and the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

In a statement they said: "The care Mrs Balmbra received at Alnwick Infirmary was totally appropriate.

"She was assessed and transferred at the earliest opportunity to Wansbeck General Hospital, which was the correct place for her treatment.

"Wansbeck is an acute hospital with all the medical facilities needed to manage her condition.

"Over the four-day Christmas holiday NDUC have successfully dealt with 5,518 calls and their GPs have coped remarkably well under this unprecedented demand."

The formal investigation is being carried out and its findings will be reported in the next few days.