A MOUNTAIN biker has praised the NHS for the brilliant care he received after an accident.

After Stephen Warner, from Oxenholme, had a mountain bike incident earlier this year he was left with a nasty injury which left him in need of significant treatment.

He was diagnosed with an injury to his rotator cuff - a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint - and was delighted by the care and attention he received at all three major Morecambe Bay hospitals - Westmorland General; Furness General and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

After his diagnosis by a member of the Station House Surgery in Kendal, he was referred for an x-ray with the Orthapaedic and Trauma team at the RLI.

As a result he had day surgery in ward three of Westmorland General hospital to repair the damage.

He said: "The nursing team, theatre staff, anaesthetist and consultant delivered a first class service treating me with courtesy and respect whilst ensuring I was fully informed of the processes to be followed.

"In the run up to my surgery I also received similar treatment at the pre-op and PCR stages at both the WGH and Furness General."

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust moved to an Opel 4 earlier this month, meaning comprehensive care could not be delivered and patient safety could be compromised.

While the alert was in in place senior clinical staff were brought in to support ward staff and 'help unblock as many delays in admission and discharge as possible'.

Other measures include working with ambulance crews 'to ensure the safe and timely handover of patients to the care setting that best meets their needs, to allow for the prompt turnaround and keep ambulances on the road, serving patients'.

It has since de-escalated from that level but also found itself there in April.

However Mr Warner didn't not experience any of these pressures.

He said: "Given the considerable pressure placed upon our NHS over the past few years, I wish to place on record my gratitude for the service provided to me. They are an amazing group of staff who clearly operated as a team supporting each other."