A health authority is seeking a meeting with a family doctor following complaints from patients.

The Argus reported how 88-year-old Irene Hardiman was struck off by Dr Vince Chiang because he was tired of being harassed by her family.

Dr Chiang has now been invited to meet with a representative from East Sussex, Brighton, and Hove Health Authority to discuss problems at his surgery at Elm Grove, Brighton.

The article prompted several calls from other angry patients to both the Argus and the health authority about the GP, who took over the running of the surgery in February.

A spokeswoman for the health authority said: "We have had a number of calls following the article. The health authority has asked one of our public health consultants, who specialises in primary care, to visit the practitioner and discuss issues raised by patients.

"The purpose is to try to resolve any issues that may be causing problems at the practice.

"If there are issues that can be resolved in terms of how the practice is run and managed then that is part of our role."

She refused to elaborate on what these issues were, insisting they were confidential.

She pointed out under NHS procedures any complaint would have to be made to the GP directly before the health authority could investigate. However the health authority could intervene on a less formal basis if it felt a solution could be found.

Irene Hardiman, of East Drive, Brighton, was struck off by Dr Chiang just days after her husband Jack died.

She was told she would no longer receive treatment at Elm Grove Surgery, the practice she had attended for 25 years, because staff were tired of being harassed.

Daisy Morley, 87, of Queen's Park Road, Brighton, says she was struck off by Dr Chiang last month shortly after her family asked for a second opinion about the medication she was being prescribed by him.

Daughter June Leaney, 57, said: "The only reason I can think why he did it was because he didn't like being harassed.

"I asked for a second opinion from his secretary. Shortly after that his letter arrived. He just could not be bothered.

"It seems he wants to run a quick in-and-out surgery rather than dealing with people who are elderly or very ill. He just hasn't got anytime for anybody. Something has got to be done."

She is now pursuing a formal complaint through the health authority on behalf of her mother.

Mrs Chiang, practice manager, insisted there was no meeting planned with the health authority.

Reason She said: "I am not making any comment because we are not doing anything wrong here. People are running to the newspaper and if you think it's good for the community and for the newspaper to print it then that is up to you.

"If I wanted to tell you the reason behind anything I would have to look at these patients' medical history and that is confidential information."