What exactly happened in the lung department of the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen (WZA)? That question keeps staff, relatives and patients busy, after it was announced yesterday that a nurse would be involved in the death of several patients. “If someone wants evil, you can’t prevent it.”
“It was a very intensive and intense day, on which many emotions were released,” the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen (WZA) described yesterday.
Stories from hospital employees show that the news about the case has had a significant impact. WZA spokesperson Sylvia Sanders confirms this. “With staff, disbelief, sadness and anger dominate, but there is also resilience,” says Sanders. “A feeling of: we’re putting our shoulders back.”
The suspected nurse is 30-year-old Theodoor V. from Veenhuizen, a well-informed source confirms to RTV Drenthe. The person knows that there are 24 deaths in which the involvement of V. is being investigated. That number may continue to rise.
The Public Prosecution Service insists on ‘multiple victims’ and does not go into exact numbers. “The investigation is still ongoing,” a spokesman said.
The criminal investigation into V. focuses on the period from March 2020 to May 2022. He then worked in the lung department, where corona patients were nursed.
“The number of questions is not too bad. We hear more support from patients than questions. Many of them say: how terrible that your hospital has to deal with this.”
The WZA has now made the first contacts with those involved in victims who appear in the police investigation. “These are first contacts, we let the follow-up depend on their needs. We try to match that”, says Sanders.
According to her, it could lead to further talks between those involved and the Asser hospital. “But it’s not concrete yet,” she emphasizes.
Victim support is available for healthcare personnel in the WZA. It is about so-called peer supportt, especially for employees in the healthcare sector. Further professional help is available if needed.
Care union NU’91 insists on ‘thorough and thorough investigation’ into the criminal offenses allegedly committed. “The unrest among healthcare workers, especially those closely involved, is understandable,” says spokesman Michel van Erp. “During the corona period, a lot was asked of everyone and you had to deal with a lot of deaths anyway. That is why it is so important that it is properly investigated.”
There are no additional requirements for a career as a nurse. Only a VOG (Statement of Behavior) and taking the oath is required, says Van Erp. In addition, healthcare personnel must adhere to the rules of the professional code. “But if someone wants to do harm, you can’t prevent it,” he realises. “It is an illusion to think that you can shield everything to prevent these kinds of excesses.”