The boss of an NHS trust has apologised after a mix-up left one of its patients without care for months on end.

Stuart Warren saw his mental health care from the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust come to an abrupt halt last August when his assigned care co-ordinator left their post.

The 39-year-old was then "left to his own devices" when his care was not transferred to a new worker - despite his pleas.

During this time, his mental health deteriorated and led to him requiring a voluntary hospital spell in King's Lynn.

Stuart Richardson, NSFT's chief executive, has since written to Mr Warren offering his apologies - but the father-of-one and stepfather-of-two said the damage was already done.

Diss Mercury: Stuart Richardson, chief executive of NSFT. Picture: NSFTStuart Richardson, chief executive of NSFT. Picture: NSFT (Image: NSFT)

Mr Warren, of Diss, said: "It was a mistake that should never have been made, but from August until January, I had nobody.

"It was just awful, I felt completely left to my own devices."

He was informed in August that his mental health nurse had left the trust - before a replacement got in touch to make an appointment in January.

However, his new co-ordinator then contacted him postponing the appointment until an unrelated complaint he had about his care could be resolved.

The trust has since admitted this too was a mistake and his complaint should not have stood in the way of his treatment.

Mr Richardson said: "I would like to say again to Mr Warren how sorry I am for the impact this has had on his experience of our service.

"We have learned lessons as a result of Mr Warren taking the time to raise his concerns. This includes ensuring we keep in touch with people who need our support while awaiting the allocation of a care co-ordinator.

"We are determined to provide excellent, safe care to everybody who needs us.

"As part of our drive to continuously improve, we have learned and made changes as a result of Mr Warren's feedback."