# 2021-199 Others, Medical Treatment

Case summary

F&R Date: 2023-04-12

The grievor grieved the invasive form of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) that her platoon was allegedly exposed to while completing the Basic Military Qualification, adding that her platoon faced deplorable conditions as well as health care at the base.

The Initial Authority (IA) rejected the grievance due to time limits opined that it was not in the interests of justice to consider the grievance. The IA stated that notwithstanding the grievor's statements regarding her health status and complications, she had ample time to grieve the matter.

The Committee found that the grievor's recent diagnosis with regard to chronic illness could not be linked to her military service, to GAS, or to Lyme Disease. The Committee also found that the grievor's claims of malpractice were properly responded to and managed by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Further, with regard to the grievor's claim that her platoon faced deplorable conditions, the Committee found that the grievor did not provide any detail that could be reviewed or investigated and confirmed that the CAF implemented infection control measures when they were made aware of the outbreak.

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority do not afford the grievor redress.

FA decision summary

The Chief of Staff Chief Professional Conduct and Culture, acting as Final Authority (FA) agreed with the Committee's recommendation to deny the grievance. The FA noted that the grievor did not provide substantiation to her argument that her medical condition was misdiagnosed. He found that the care provided by the CAF Health Services and Field Ambulance met the requirements set out in the CAF Spectrum of Care and that the subject matter expert's review was thorough. The FA also stated that the grievor was not eligible to compensation from the CAF for health care services provided to her after her release. He found no evidence that the training conditions were deplorable and led to a Group A streptococcal disease outbreak. The FA stated that he was satisfied that the control measures put in place to control the outbreak were timely and adequate.