Statement by Haga-Hospital regarding the acquittal of Lucia de Berk
April 14, 2010

The court in Arnhem has, on review, today acquitted Lucia de Berk.

This ruling has brought to an end a long period of uncertainty for Ms. De Berk and her family, and also relatives of deceased patients and employees of the hospital who were directly involved. We wish them strength in all respects.

In September 2001 an internal investigation at the Juliana Children's Hospital / Red Cross Hospital, which merged in 2004 with the Leyenburg Hospital to form the Haga-Hospital, found reason to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor's office which then, based on their own research, proceeded with the criminal prosecution of Ms. De Berk.

Haga-Hospital is responsible for proper patient care within a safe environment. Each and every doubt that this security is at stake should always lead to an internal investigation, regardless. Depending on the outcome there may then be grounds to submit any suspicions and the results of any such investigations to the relevant competent authority.

The Haga hospital has cooperated with the investigation throughout, which eventually led to the court's acquittal of Mrs. De Berk.