The ACT Ombudsman has overturned ACT Health’s decision to redact a staff survey, releasing only positive comments while withholding negative material, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made by Shadow Health Minister Leanne Castley.

Ms Castley asked the Ombudsman in April to review what she called the “baffling” decision to heavily redact a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for a staff survey of its Digital Solutions Division.

Ms Castley said that while small parts of the survey report were released to her under FOI, all negative material had been redacted, whereas positive commentary was released.

ACT Health had explained that some information was redacted because survey answers and comments could be considered an unreasonable disclosure of respondents’ personal information. Revealing confidential information could deter staff from participating in future surveys.

The Ombudsman disagreed with ACT Health’s reasoning, stating that it was not in the public interest to withhold the negative material and release more positive portions of the survey report.

The Ombudsman disagreed that disclosing certain information would compromise participants’ right to privacy, stating that if information was appropriately de-identified, it would not infringe on their privacy, “as no individual could be identified from the material”.

The Ombudsman rejected ACT Health’s assertion that disclosure would prejudice future access to confidential information, suggesting that publishing honest or negative feedback and addressing the issues raised could improve response rates,

The Ombudsman also found that there was “considerable public interest in the information at issue … could … contribute to positive and informed debate”; that disclosure could assist inquiries into ACT Health’s plans to improve workplace culture; and determine if policies and procedures to support staff were sufficient and working.

“This decision by the Ombudsman is a big win for transparency,” Ms Castley said.

“The Ombudsman comprehensively rebuffs ACT Health’s arguments for redacting my FOI.  This will inevitably draw attention to this Labor-Greens government’s lack of transparency, especially when it comes to the many failures of the ACT public health system…

“Time and again we hear the Health Minister saying that drawing attention to poor workforce culture is unhelpful.”

Ms Castley called on ACT Health to release the complete survey.

ACT Health acknowledged the Ombudsman’s decision “to disclose a larger proportion of the information and the findings that appropriately de-identified information can promote public debate and have a positive effect on change within the directorate”.

“ACT Health are committed to transparency and balancing the confidentiality of individuals which is critical to the safety of staff, and ongoing honest and full participation in area specific surveys,” a spokesperson said.

“We are constantly endeavouring to improve the opportunity for staff to share their views and experiences, which includes the ability to participate in opportunities such as a Division Health Check in a safe and open way. 

“ACT Health is committed to workplace culture improvement and working with teams and individuals to enhance safety and engagement.”