Staff morale collapses at Australia’s Single Digital Patient Record Authority

A 2025 employee survey of the Single Digital Patient Record Implementation Authority (SDPRIA) in New South Wales showed a severe drop in staff morale ahead of the $2 bn Epic digital health rollout. Of the 363 respondents, only 39% would recommend the organisation as a great place to work, down 14 percentage points from the previous year, and well below sector averages. Scores for motivation (42%), inspiration (44%), personal attachment (42%) and pride (54%) were similarly low, while satisfaction with wellbeing (42%) and pay (40%) lagged.

Management, led by CEO Dr Teresa Anderson, responded by outlining actions such as wellbeing education, an intranet, counselling services, a diversity and inclusion strategy, awards and social events. However, only 31% of staff felt that previous survey results had been acted upon, underscoring ongoing concerns about organisational culture and the implementation of the massive digital patient record system.