Pretoria: The Gauteng Department of Health has assured Leratong Hospital users that healthcare services are not disrupted following the shooting incident that took place this morning.

According to a statement released by the department, the incident took place at about 5.30am, when a patient who was under police guard attempted to escape and as the police were trying to re-arrest him, shots were fired and he died on the scene, a few kilometers outside the hospital premises.

A hospital employee was injured, including a driver who was in the car used by police to chase the escaping patient. The driver sustained minor bruises and was treated and discharged.

Hospital staff who were affected by the incident will get trauma counselling.

“The department would like to re-iterate that security at the hospital based in Kagiso, West Rand, is tight and that services are not disrupted as a result of this unfortunate incident,” the department said.