An investigation into South Australia's top health bureaucrat has criticised his handling of potential conflicts of interest, as well as his record keeping, in the months following his appointment.

Key points: Dr Chris McGowan was appointed SA Health chief executive in 2018

Dr Chris McGowan was appointed SA Health chief executive in 2018 At the time he took up the role, he was still the director of a private care provider in Perth

At the time he took up the role, he was still the director of a private care provider in Perth The SA Government said there was "no evidence whatsoever" he had sought to personally benefit

But the SA Government said SA Health chief executive Dr Chris McGowan would remain in the job and had retained its "complete confidence".

The office of the public sector commissioner was asked to look into Dr McGowan's handling of matters related to Silver Chain — a health and aged care provider he used to run.

Dr McGowan was appointed to the SA Health position following the 2018 state election, amid an exodus of senior public servants and SA Health staff.

The independent investigator's report — one of two into the health system released today — found he did not step down from his private-sector role for "more than two months after" he took up the job.

It also criticised an "ill-advised" meeting with consultancy firm Deloitte to discuss partnerships between Silver Chain and SA Health.

"Dr McGowan could appropriately maintain some contact with former Silver Chain colleagues after his appointment as chief executive," the report stated.

"There was nevertheless a failure on Dr McGowan's part to put appropriate conflict of interest arrangements in place, given his long-standing former career as chief executive officer of the Silver Chain group.

"Dr McGowan acknowledges this failure. Those arrangements could have included better record keeping of contacts with Silver Chain officials, and direct written and oral engagement with SA Health officials on probity risks."

The report said it was still not known why Dr McGowan's register of interests was submitted six months later than scheduled.

However, Premier Steven Marshall said there was "no evidence whatsoever" that Dr McGowan had "sought to personally benefit from his previous association" with Silver Chain or to "advance the interests of the Silver Chain group".

SA Premier Steven Marshall and Health Minister Stephen Wade. ( SA News )

Health Minister Stephen Wade has also defended Dr McGowan and said he would receive more conflict management training.

"Dr McGowan has my complete confidence. Certainly, there are measures the CEO could take to improve his practice, those steps are being taken," he said.

"Of course we can all do better in the detail and that's what Dr McGowan is determined to do, supported by other public-sector leaders."

Labor was critical of Dr McGowan's absence from today's media conference.

"Chris McGowan wasn't part of that press conference even though he's paid $561,000 a year, even though he's got serious questions to answer," Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said.

Premier rules out funding boost for health probes

The SA Government today also released its initial response to concerns raised more than seven weeks ago by independent commissioner against corruption (ICAC) Bruce Lander.

In early December, Mr Lander described SA Health as "ripe for exploitation by corrupt employees", which prompted the creation of a taskforce including SA Health executives to investigate.

Anti-corruption commissioner Bruce Lander warned SA Health was "ripe for exploitation". ( ABC News )

The Government's subsequent report has acknowledged widespread challenges confronting the agency, including "cultural issues" and conflict of interest.

"The [ICAC] report noted that there was a lack of consistency across SA Health in how conflicts of interest were being managed," it said.

The Government said those problems were being dealt with, and Mr Marshall has ruled out boosting ICAC's resources.

"We're not providing additional resources over and above what we have already provided," he said.

"The most recent budget had a very substantial increase and reviews of this type that he has been seeking have to be met within his existing budget.

"There is nothing that was contained within his report that wasn't raised with me in the days immediately following my swearing in."

However, Labor has called on the Government to provide $2 million to Mr Lander's office.

"Today, what we've seen is the Government's weak response to that report. They set up a bureaucratic committee to look into this and they are not taking actions," Mr Picton said.

"They are setting up committees, they are reviewing policy documents to sit on the shelf, rather than going after the people who have been conducting the wrongdoing.

"That report from the ICAC commissioner was unprecedented and it needs an unprecedented, independent response."

Mr Marshall said it was his decision to release both reports on the same day.

In a statement Commissioner Lander’s office confirmed he had received the Government’s report last night, and needed time to consider it before responding.