A nurse from the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen (WZA) is suspected of involvement in the death of several patients. It concerns a 30-year-old man from the municipality of Noordenveld.
He was arrested last Monday. The death of the patients happened during the corona pandemic. The nurse was working in the WZA during that period. The Public Prosecution Service and the hospital do not want to say how many victims are involved. They also do not want to say how the man worked.
“The arrest has shocked us,” responds Hans Mulder of the hospital’s board of directors. According to the WZA, this concerns a serious suspicion against an individual employee. The investigation began after a report was received by the board of directors. After an internal investigation, the incident was reported to the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) and the police were called in. The police and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) have subsequently launched a criminal investigation.
“We appreciate that the reporter shared concerns and information with us. We immediately took the report seriously and took the necessary steps,” continues board member Mulder. “A first important step was to deactivate the employee who is the subject of the report. In this way, the behavior from the report could not be continued.”
The investigation continues. “We have an eye for the well-being of our employees and any patients or surviving relatives involved. In the coming period, we will mainly focus, together with the police, on collecting facts. Based on the facts, it will be determined which next steps need to be taken.” said Mulder.
Those directly involved have been informed by the police. Hospital staff were notified last night and this morning.