Earned it : Questionable Medical Practices
I would like to raise a concern about the way medical statuses are being handled for some Guards servicemen from Dieppe Barracks when reporting sick at Khatib Camp Medical Centre.
There appears to be a recurring concern among servicemen that some MOs may not be assessing declared illnesses thoroughly enough before deciding whether to issue rest, light duty, or other appropriate statuses. In some cases, servicemen are reportedly told that they “look fine” or are advised to manage with medication first, before being asked to return for battalion conduct or activities.
To be clear, this is not about expecting RIB, LD, or rest to be given automatically. The issue is whether proper medical assessment is being done consistently, especially during periods where the battalion requires high attendance.
Some servicemen have also observed that outcomes can differ depending on which MO they see. Similar symptoms or conditions may lead to rest or light duty from one MO, while another MO may give no status or minimal status. This creates the perception that medical decisions are not always consistent.
There is also concern that Guards servicemen are rarely given RIB or adequate rest statuses, even when they declare symptoms that affect their ability to participate safely. Whether intentional or not, this has made some servicemen feel that operational needs are being placed above patient welfare.
At the battalion or company level, communication around RSO/RSI also seems to be an issue. Some servicemen feel that instead of clear guidance, the messaging is sometimes indirect, discouraging, or framed around consequences such as RSO bans. This is especially worrying for those with existing or past medical conditions, as they may not fully understand how their cases are being considered before such measures are mentioned.
There are also concerns about people being placed on LD but still being expected to perform tasks that may not align with the purpose of the status. This creates a grey area where the status is acknowledged, but not always respected in practice.
The point of this post is not to attack any individual MO or commander personally. The concern is about a pattern that some Guards servicemen from Dieppe Barracks feel they are experiencing at Khatib Camp Medical Centre.
Medical statuses should be based on proper assessment and patient welfare, not convenience or manpower requirements.