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The deleterious consequences of privatization and outsourcing for hospital support work: The experiences of contracted-out hospital cleaners and dietary aids in Vancouver, Canada

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  • Zuberi, Daniyal M.
  • Ptashnick, Melita B.

Abstract

This article is based on the findings of the Hospital Support Workers Study, which includes in-depth interviews with 70 hospital housekeepers and dietary aids in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As a result of provincial government legislation in 2003, all hospital-based support work in the Vancouver region was privatized and contracted out to three multinational corporations. The outsourcing of hospital support services is part of a larger global trend toward neoliberal policy reform in health care. This article presents the perceptions of hospital support workers about the consequences of contracting out on their work conditions, training, turnover rates and other issues that directly affect their quality of work and have important implications for patient health and well-being. The findings suggest serious negative consequences for the health care system as a result of the privatization and contracting out of hospital support services.

Suggested Citation

  • Zuberi, Daniyal M. & Ptashnick, Melita B., 2011. "The deleterious consequences of privatization and outsourcing for hospital support work: The experiences of contracted-out hospital cleaners and dietary aids in Vancouver, Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(6), pages 907-911, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:72:y:2011:i:6:p:907-911
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Szromek, Adam R. & Romaniuk, Piotr & Hadzik, Andrzej, 2016. "The privatization of spa companies in Poland – An evaluation of policy assumptions and implementation," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(4), pages 362-368.
    2. CS Ponder & Andrew Longhurst & Margaret McGregor, 2021. "Contracting-out care: The socio-spatial politics of nursing home care at the intersection of British Columbia’s labor, land, and capital markets," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 39(4), pages 800-817, June.
    3. Christina Young, 2022. "Filling a gap in maternity care: The caring dilemma in doula practice," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1481-1494, September.

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