Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has thanked The Royal Oldham Hospital for the care he received whilst being treated for an infection.

The MP published a long statement on social media on Friday in which he thanked the hospital and praised staff for their “compassion and dedication” during “difficult circumstances”.

The statement reads: “My thanks to the Royal Oldham Hospital for taking care of me over the past couple of weeks while I was treated for an infection.

“Pressures on staffing and demand are overwhelming, but the compassion and dedication shown by staff in the most difficult circumstances stood out and is a credit to the NHS.”

The MP, who is also the Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, went on to thank his office teams in Oldham and London for “keeping things running smoothly” and “ensuring constituents get the casework support they need” whilst he received treatment.

Mr McMahon also expressed his disappointment at missing the funeral of the former Oldham council leader Jean Stretton earlier this month and the Co-operative Party conference where he was due to speak.

He wrote: “It’s been a hugely busy time and I was hugely disappointed not to be able to attend the funeral of my friend and former councillor Jean Stretton, and the Co-operative Party conference where I was due to speak as chair.”