The Southern District Health Board has refused to release draft reports written by a senior Wellington health official who was seconded to its surgical service last October.
Joy Farley, also service manager of South Island neurosurgery, was tasked with increasing surgery volume while reducing costs.
Her brief, released to the Otago Daily Times earlier this year, included producing a feasibility study of shifting day surgery from Dunedin Hospital to Wakari Hospital.
Ms Farley, who works for the National Health Board, was to spend about three days a week in Dunedin. Her secondment was for at least a year.
Communications director Steve Addison, in a letter this week declining the request, cited the need for free expression of opinion between public servants.
''The papers and reports are in draft form and by their very nature are expressions of opinion, following a process of information-gathering, which often may include discussions with key staff.
''It is also common practice for draft reports to be sent for comment and to correct errors. It is essential for this process to be undertaken in a free and frank manner in order that all parties may express their views without fear or favour.''
The ODT has complained to the Office of the Ombudsman about the board's decision to withhold the information.
