The review into ACT Health's workplace culture will not have the power or resources to investigate complaints, and allegations against individuals would most likely not be acted upon, the Australian Medical Association has told its members.
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It comes as staff from the review met Canberra Hospital health staff last week, telling them about the process and how the submissions will work.
Calls for submissions from staff opened on October 15 and will close on November 30.
Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris announced the review in September after coming under increasing pressure from health groups and the opposition about issues plaguing the health system.
But she rejected a call from the association to hold a board of inquiry, which would have had similar powers and protections as a royal commission.
The association has told its members while it can't guarantee the existing legislation will protect them legally, on balance there should not be concerns about privacy or confidentiality.
"In our view it is not within the review’s powers or means to maintain complete confidentiality of every submission," it read.
"However, it is also important to remember that, absent the consent of the submitter, there are very few circumstances where a submission could be released to a third party."
The association told members that given the limited powers of the review compared with a board of inquiry, staff should not expect their submissions to be investigated, or for it to ascertain with any reliability the extent of inappropriate conduct in the workplace.
The message to members said the terms of reference made it clear the review had no power or resources to investigate complaints
"It has been tasked to ‘examine’ complaints, that is ‘look at or consider a person or thing carefully and in detail in order to discover something about them'," it read.
"Consequently, do not expect the review to ‘investigate’ your complaint."
The association also told members it was unlikely allegations would be formally put to and a response sought from people against whom allegations were made. This would mean allegations would be held confidentially and not acted upon.
The chairman of the workplace culture review panel, Mick Reid, was asked if specific allegations would be put to individuals and asked to respond.
The answer was not clear from his response, saying the panel would determine "how best to ensure confidentiality and privacy and accords procedural fairness to all persons and organisations concerned in the review".
Mr Reid said the purpose of the review was to examine, report and make recommendations to improve the workplace culture of ACT's public health services.
"The review was not setup to investigate specific workplace conduct or potential legal matters but may advise on whether referral of any complaints should be made to any other authority including what support services should be provided to complainants," he said.
