KINGSTON, Jamaica – There are indications that Monday’s incident where a patient was shot and injured by a correctional officer at the Kingston Public Hospital could bring about changes at the facility.

Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) Dr Andrei Cooke said that since the shooting, officials from SERHA have launched a probe into the incident.

“Statements have been collected from all persons involved and an assessment will be made,” said Dr Cooke, who also hinted that based on the findings it is possible that changes could be made to ensure that the incident does not reoccur.

Dr Cooke explained that the investigation was to ascertain the circumstance under which the shooting occurred.

Reports are that the correctional officer was at the hospital guarding an inmate and at the end of his shift another correctional officer came to relieve him of his duty.

The officer in question was reportedly unholstering his private firearm when it went off hitting a patient in his hand.

Kimmo Matthews