A nurse from the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen (WZA) is suspected of involvement in the death of several patients. The 30-year-old man from the municipality of Noordenveld was arrested last Monday. The patients all died during the corona pandemic.
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the hospital do not want to say in which department the man worked and how he seems to be involved in the death of the patients. They also do not want to say how many victims there are.
The investigation began after a report to the board of directors. “We immediately took the report seriously and took the necessary steps,” says Hans Mulder of the hospital’s board of directors to RTV Drenthe. The nurse was suspended. “That way, the behavior from the report could not be continued.”
After an internal investigation, the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) and the police were called in. The police and the Public Prosecution Service subsequently started a criminal investigation.
Staff informed
“The arrest shocked us,” says the hospital. “It is a serious suspicion against an individual employee.” Mulder expresses his appreciation for the reporter who approached the Executive Board. He asks for understanding for the fact that the hospital cannot say much about the case in connection with the police investigation.
“In the coming period, together with the police, we will mainly focus on collecting facts. Based on the facts, it will be determined which next steps need to be taken.” Those directly involved have been informed by the police. Hospital staff were notified last night and this morning.
The suspect will be brought before the examining magistrate today. Restrictions have been imposed on him, so he can only have contact with his lawyer for the time being.
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