The panel report on the Wakatipu health services said the analysis showed what was being proposed would not cost more than existing services, but the analysis was absent from the report.
The Otago Daily Times, which sought the information on August 31, has complained to the Office of the Ombudsmen about the proposed response delay from September 28 to October 3.
This delay was to allow further time to consult on a response, an un-named Ministry official advised.
The newspaper's argument is that the financial analysis should have been included as part of the original report from the expert panel on Wakatipu Health Services since it was referred to within that.
The report's executive summary said the National Health Board had completed a financial analysis on the impact of implementing all the panel's recommendations and the impact of a growing population over the next 15 years.
The NHB had confirmed with the panel that what was being proposed had been costed and, over time, would not cost the Southern District Health Board any more than the existing services.
It would also provide more health care.
The financial analysis took account of both the costs associated with Lakes District Hospital and all DHB-funded health services affected by the review, the report said.
The panel was charged with providing advice to the Southern board on the configuration of clinically and financially sustainable, safe, high-quality integrated health services in the Wakatipu.
The Southern District Health Board, at its monthly meeting in Queenstown this month, also requested the financial analysis.
Asked by the Otago Daily Times earlier this month if he was happy with the reports on Dunedin Hospital systems and Wakatipu health services, both of which made financial conclusions but did not contain financial information, Health Minister Tony Ryall issued a one-word answer: "Yes".
The team which assessed systems at Dunedin Hospital and found an urgent need to improve systems and structures has said its recommendations will save money, but has not provided estimates.
District health board management has been asked by the board to identify areas of responsibility within that review, which contained four general recommendations and 45 proposed actions.
It is to come up with an implementation plan on the report's recommendations with times for reporting to the DHB's relevant committees and the board itself.
Hospitals' advisory committee chairman Paul Menzies said he envisaged management's report would include any financial implications of the actions sought.
The NHB team had said it would be cost-neutral and "we need to have some comfort around that".
It appeared some of the proposals would require investment, he said.
