A group of patients at a Norfolk hospital have made an appeal for fans to be donated to help them and others cope during the hot weather.

Sam Gidney, from Thorpe St Andrew, has been staying on the Hethel ward at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after she had difficulty breathing, and is now being treated for clots on her lungs, a tissue inflammation called pleurisy and an infection.

Ms Gidney, 49, said: 'The weather hasn't helped the breathing. We are fighting over fans to keep us cool.

'Last time Breath Easy donated lots of fans for the wards but gradually they break and are not replaced as the hospital has no funds.

'If there is someone out there to help with donating fans the hospital would be very grateful.'

Ms Gidney said she and a group of other patients with respiratory problems wanted to thank staff for doing an excellent job.

She said: 'We want to say a huge thank you to the Norfolk and Norwich for their care and outstanding service.

'If it wasn't for the staff who looked after us some of us wouldn't be here today.'

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Hethel Ward Sister Karen Hall said: 'We always aim to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible and during this particularly warm spell, we make sure our patients stay well-hydrated and wards are ventilated as much as possible. The heat can be particularly difficult for patients with respiratory difficulties, however in some instances it may not be appropriate to circulate air more widely for infection control reasons.

'New fans were distributed throughout the ward this week and we have ordered additional supplies which will be on the wards shortly.

'All electrical equipment used in our hospital must be of suitable quality for both health and safety and infection control purposes and must undergo a portable appliance test before use. As a result, unfortunately we are unable accept donated appliances.'