"Quite Happy with Barnet FERN ward."

I had my laparoscopy & cystectomy done at the FERN ward at Barnet hospital. I was very happy with my pre surgery consultation, a nurse brought me into the ward and calmly explained everything, I was very nervous and all the staff reassured me. After my surgery I had a lovely nurse who looked after me and made sure a bed was secured for me as quick as possible in the ward. Although they were not supposed to be with me the whole time, they ended up helping me a lot & was even nice enough to phone my husband & let me talk to him as I was panicking a bit after coming out of surgery. in the ward the nurses gave me my medicines on time and the necessary checks. And they were all lovely, especially one who was so motherly as understanding. There was also a wonderful trainee nurse who helped me so much. The only downside to my stay was my recovery, which was a bit slower than others, so I stayed in one more night. I found it hard to rest as soon as 7.30 am hits, the ward became very chaotic, very noisy and staff became rushed off their feet with not enough time to care for all the patients. I needed to see the nurses but it took an hour before one became free & I was in pain. I was also given a negative comment by one nurse due to my slow recovery, and I didn't appreciate that. As a nurse you should be sensitive and understanding, not hinting that I should leave. There was a nurse in charge on my last dat (9th July 2015) having an argument with other nurses about patients from who should be in other wards being brought to the FERN ward. It soon became a very distressing argument between the nurses. When you have just had surgery you want there to be a bit of calm, as most of the drugs make you very tired. It was frustrating to not be able to rest properly when your feeling so ill. There was chaos until about late afternoon after which patients can get some rest. Of course it's not the nurses fault, there should be more funding to the nhs for this reason. If there was a separate pre surgery consultation room,then patients would not be disturbed & perhaps staff could manage a better & help the patients who have just had surgery, a bit more.I can also understand nurses frustrations but I think these situations should be handled calmly without upsetting patients in recovery. I'm due another cystectomy & if I will be there again, I hope some improvements can be made. Overall I was satisfied with my care but a lot more could be improved. I really applaud all the staff there , they work so hard & I wish more could be done to assist them so they can do their job. Thank you FERN ward!