ACT Health authorities have again blocked the full release of an audit report on the Canberra Hospital maternity unit training program, weeks after damning extracts were leaked to the media.
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Extracts of an accreditation report from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, obtained by The Canberra Times in November showed patient and doctor health had been compromised amid staffing issues, limited training and unresolved personal conflicts.
Deputy director-general for Canberra Hospital and Health Services Ian Thompson refused to release the full report under Freedom of Information provisions this week, finding the effectiveness of future audits, examinations or tests could be prejudiced if the information was made public.
Mr Thompson said the attainment of the objectives of particular tests, examinations or audits could also be prejudiced by the report's release in full.
Canberra Hospital currently has a six-month accreditation for training of young doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology, the shortest possible accreditation period awarded by the professional standards body.
Outgoing Health Minister Katy Gallagher and ACT Health director-general Peggy Brown have also both refused to release the report in recent weeks. Last month Steven Adair, the hospital's clinical director for obstetrics and gynaecology, resigned from the role.
An investigation into the leaking of the report is under way as the maternity unit's training accreditation remains at risk of being revoked early in 2015 if officials cannot address urgent recommendations.
The report considered findings from an audit conducted in September.
Mr Thompson said releasing its contents in full could also "have a substantial adverse effect on the management or assessment of personnel by the Territory or by an agency" and could impact efficient conduct or operations inside ACT Health.
The critical health portfolio received its first new minister since 2006 on Friday as new Chief Minister Andrew Barr named Simon Corbell as replacement for Ms Gallagher as she moves to the Senate.
Mr Corbell will also continue to serve as Attorney-General, Capital Metro Minister and Environment Minister.
Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson has positioned health as one of his key criticisms of the government's performance in recent months.
The extracts made public without official authorisations last month show the maternity unit failed to meet standards in two of eight assessment areas, including staffing levels, safe working hours and arrangements for leave.
Core levels of clinical experience and competency and in-house credentialing were also found to be below minimal standards.
A further three areas were "partially met", including training and support, after-hours supervision, learning and educational resources.
The unit met standards in three areas, including supervisor appointments, coordinator appointments and research.
The report also highlighted staff shortages, a lack of engagement by visiting doctors, increasing birth numbers, shortages of senior doctors, limited clinical experience, poor rostering, conflicting management protocols and "widespread disaffection".
Speaking without authorisation, some staff members said a visiting assessor reportedly described Canberra as having "the worst maternity training unit in Australia" during the audit.
She challenged some of the report's findings related to patient care and risk.
