Joy Burch says fixing the culture of the ACT Ambulance Service will take years

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Joy Burch said efforts had been made to reduce instances of conflict, blame and poor management but it would take time for success to be measured.

A leaked copy of a cultural review, commissioned by the government in October 2013, found systemic mismanagement had led to low morale in an organisation that has grown significantly in recent years.

But the review was never released by the government, which instead created a blueprint for change that addressed its recommendations.

On Tuesday, Ms Burch provided the ACT Legislative Assembly with an update on efforts to improve professionalism and to address concerns about trust, conflict resolutions and leadership.

"I acknowledge that this change process is a challenging undertaking and will take time to fully achieve, but I am firmly committed to seeing these reforms progress in the ACT Ambulance Service," she said.

Ms Burch said an oversight committee, led by a former director of the South Australian Ambulance Service, had been established and would report to her on a quarterly basis.

"There have been five independently facilitated workshops held between May and July this year in which over 100 ACT Ambulance Service staff participated," she said.

"These workshops were undertaken in an atmosphere of open and frank discussions by all participants."

Ms Burch said the task of changing a poor culture required a number of difficult conversation and behavioural changes.

Opposition Emergency Services spokesman Brendan Smyth said an oversight committee was unlikely to address the concerns of many staff within the service.

"This is not a reform agenda," he said. "This is simply building a bulwark around the management that currently exists to protect itself.

"Those who have mismanaged the service and allowed the toxic culture to exist are still there and it's any wonder that levels of fear are growing."

In August, Transport Workers Union delegate Rob Trevillion said union members were losing faith in the drawn-out process.

"Members are reporting to me there's a wide-held belief that nothing has changed, in fact people feel more uncomfortable than before," he said.

Ms Burch said the ACT Transport Workers Union – which has previously described the workforce culture as toxic – had called for changes in the ambulance service to be fast-tracked

"It is also my strong view that we need to give the current ACT Ambulance Service leadership a chance to deliver on the reforms under the blueprint for change," she said.

"I encourage the Transport Workers Union to continue working toward helping achieve the necessary reforms through productive messaging, ongoing commitment and active participation."

Ms Burch said the efforts to facilitate change needed to consider the responsibilities of a front-line emergency service.

"It is important to accommodate rotating shifts and the absolute dedication of ACT Ambulance Service officers to our community," she said.

"Yes they want change but they will always put the community first."