AN un-redacted survey of ACT Health’s embattled Digital Solutions Division (DSD) reveals a “horror story”, say the Canberra Liberals.

The survey was released to the Liberals under freedom of information on appeal to the ombudsman after an earlier, heavily redacted version has been provided by ACT Health.

Opposition health spokesperson Leanne Castley said survey findings and negative feedback, which had earlier been redacted, told “a story of individuals whose commitment and passion for their job has been dashed by a dysfunctional workplace culture”.

“The survey found clear, consistent concerns about communication, workload, planning, organisational structure, people and performance management, induction, training, morale and adherence to employer/employee obligations,” she said.

“There were criticisms about poor project planning, last-minute changes, poor people management, unfair recruitment practices, lack of trust in leadership and a culture of humiliation and intimidation.

“There were consistent complaints about unrealistic and unsustainable management expectations impacting work quality and staff health and wellbeing, of staff burning out and at breaking point and being treated poorly.

“There was feedback about many instances of staff in tears, many outbursts by analysts, intolerance of mistakes, staff reporting nightmares before meetings, worrying about the choice of every word, and ‘acting out’ due to the stress.

“The Health Minister should now heed the ombudsman’s view that this frank feedback could have a positive effect on future engagement, if the issues raised are acted upon, rather than being swept under the carpet.

“Contrary to the Health Minister’s spin, the picture of DHR which emerges from this survey is of a chaotically managed project, where there has been poor communication and a divide between staff and the executive.”

Ms Castley said she had referred the staff survey to the auditor-general.