NHS Highland has moved to reassure the public after a member of staff called a patient "demanding" and "unrealistic" on a social networking site.

The Twitter message also said "the human body is not designed to last forever".

The message was posted as part of a series called Who We Are where staff are encouraged to tweet to show the public aspects of different jobs within the health service.

NHS Highland says it was sorry if the post caused any offence and is learning as it goes with regards to the Twitter series.

Local MSP John Finnie says it was an unfortunate incident.

Maimie Thompson, Head of Public Relations and Engagement for NHS Highland, said: “The tweet was posted by a caring and highly-professional member of staff. We are really sorry if it has caused any offence at all.

“As part of our handing over our twitter account to staff we discuss all feedback. There have been a lot of very positive comments which has been great. We will learn from any unintended consequences.

“The idea behind Who We Are is to give staff the opportunity to share their experiences, in their own words, with the general public. Since the launch on June 25 we have been formalising guidance to those who agree to contribute to what has become a very popular series.

“It can only be a good thing that we are open with the public. We will continue to support staff to share their stories and learn as we go.”

It is the second time in recent weeks that NHS Highland has been criticised.

The health authority was hit with a damning report on the state of Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Inspectors found blood contamination on wards including on an open bag of cotton wool, a refrigerator door and a patient drip stand at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) also found "significant" amounts of dust in wards at the hospital.

Its report also noted that compliance with standard infection control precautions were varied throughout the wards inspected.