Rugby's Olly Barkley apologises for NHS tweets

England and Bath rugby player Olly Barkley has criticised his NHS treatment on Twitter after waiting 40 minutes for pain relief following a double leg break.

The fly-half was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Sunday after breaking his leg during Bath's 34-22 defeat by Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Barkley, 29, used Twitter to complain to his 8,500 followers about "flatulent" patients, a wait for morphine and poor food.

The player later described his comments as "tongue in cheek" and a "joke" and apologised if anyone took them seriously.

The NHS trust that runs the hospital said it was "disappointed" that Barkley had been unhappy with his treatment.

On Sunday Barkley told his followers that as a result of a shortage in space he was in the gastric intestinal ward.

The next day he added: "The people here have been stars. Could have done without the 40-minute wait for morph last night though."

The player added: "NHS - work in progress."

Later, Barkley wrote: "With regards to my comments re flatulence in the ward - we play rugby. Flatulence is second nature to groups of childish men!

"It appears my tongue in cheek comments about my time at Gloucester have been taken seriously and have offended in the process."

He added: "The joke re porridge at Glos hospital to anyone who may have been offended was just that, a joke. I apologise if anyone took it seriously.

"To some of the lovely staff at Gloucester hospital. You do an amazing job on limited resources."

Barkley spent two days at the hospital in Gloucester where doctors inserted a metal rod in his left leg.

He was later transferred to the CircleBath hospital at Peasedown St John in Somerset.

Commenting on the transfer he wrote: "En route to the circle hospital Peasedown for some decent food and a room without guys farting the alphabet."

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are disappointed to hear that Mr Barkley was unhappy with the care he received at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

"Gloucestershire Hospitals is committed to providing high quality and safe care for our patients.

"We invite him to speak to us about his concerns and would encourage him to contact our patient advice and liaison department."

Barkley is continuing to receive physiotherapy and will be out of contention for the rest of the season, his club confirmed.