It is scary to think that the training of physicians is being dictated by the “European Working Time Directive” rather than on standards of care and professional competency. I was also struck by the mention of hospital care being given in a 24 bed ward. Any hospitals that I am familiar with abandoned multi-bed wards 50 years ago and offer nothing but private rooms. I do not think Americans would be too keen on sharing their room with two dozen other patients separated by nothing more than a curtain.
Ward usually refers to the entire section served by a single central nursing station staffed by 6 or more nurses at any given time. Rooms can be private, semi-private, or common. The common is a 4-bed situation, semi is 2 beds, private is self-explanatory.
A 24 bed ward would have at the very least 6 rooms, more likely 10-14.