SUFFOLK is bracing itself for another day of heat and humidity tomorrow as the Mediterranean temperatures continue.

SUFFOLK is bracing itself for another day of heat and humidity tomorrow as the Mediterranean temperatures continue.

And as the sun stays out for one more day, staff at Ipswich Hospital are extending evening visiting hours in a bid to keep the wards as cool, calm and comfortable as possible.

A spokesman for Norfolk-based forecasters Weatherquest said Thursday would be the last day of a settled spell that had seen temperatures reach as high as 28c this week.

He said: “It's going to be warm and humid tomorrow but definitely becoming cooler through Friday and into the weekend, which will last until the middle of next week.

“The temperatures are warmer than average at the moment - they should be about 20-21c but we have had a long period of settled weather and quite moist, humid air.

“It looks like we have another high pressure building in the second half of next week, but things could change.”

Late visiting times are being extended at Ipswich Hospital from 7pm to 9pm and visitors have been urged not to come in the afternoon because of the heat.

Gwen Collins, director of nursing and quality at the hospital, which is one of the busiest in the region, said: “We know that having visitors is very important for patients, but with the soaring temperatures, we need to make sure that the wards are as cool, calm and comfortable as possible.

“Limiting the number of people on the ward during the hottest part of the day is a very good way of doing this.

“We are extending visiting times in the evening to make up for the loss of afternoon visiting in the afternoons in the coming days.”

Mr Collins said the move would be reviewed on a daily basis and applied to all general wards, with visiting at matron's discretion, as always.