Is this privatization at all costs?

I write in response to the Sept. 15 article by Colin Craig touting the savings from privatizing Saskatchewan’s hospital laundry services.

My mother was recently admitted to the Pasqua Hospital and there was a chronic shortage of new laundry. Staff told me that this was the norm.

The food services also have been privatized and the meals arrived at no set time. The quantity and quality of the food seemed questionable. The people doing these jobs likely were making minimum wage.

I wonder if anyone has conducted an analysis as to whether there has been an increase of hospital infections due to poor hygiene due to lack of linen or if the patients are receiving consistent nutrition in order to ensure they are released in a timely fashion?

Also, has an economic study been conducted to determine if the lower wages for workers (and profits leaving the province to Alberta) have had an overall negative impact on Saskatchewan’s economy? I guess these nuances are never indicated on a government bean counter’s spreadsheet.

I think looking only at the obvious savings and ignoring the potential liabilities is being done to promote an ideological position of “privatization at all costs.” This is regardless of whether the government and taxpayer are receiving quality services without endangering the health of patients who are in care. Howard Brass, Regina