Will 2018 be the year we finally see food services in Powell River health facilities returned to a non-profit basis? Before the BC Liberals took power in 2001, most local hospital and seniors’ homes prepared meals for patients and residents on site. Determined to see every public service as a potential profit-making opportunity, the Liberals handed over most of those services to large corporations such as Sodexo.
Sodexo runs food services at Powell River General Hospital, Willingdon Creek Village and Evergreen Care Unit.
A year and a half ago the Peak ran a front-page story detailing the appalling nature of the food taxpayers were paying Sodexo to serve to some of the most vulnerable residents of Powell River. The highlight of the story was the revelation that some residents at Willingdon Creek Village were given meal-replacement drinks instead of actual meals (which were often not much better).
There is almost universal recognition of this reality among ordinary residents who have experienced it themselves, or know someone who has. But for those who can actually change the situation, privatized institutional food is now normal.
One doctor told me everyone knows they have to have someone bring them food. Yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable.
Everyone involved in patient care know it is a serious problem: nurses, Sodexo employees (members of the Hospital Employees’ Union), doctors, general staff and dietitians and nutritionists. But in an underfunded system with many separate interests and everyone running as fast as they can, no one focuses on healthy food.
In two public meetings on the issue last year there was virtually unanimous agreement among those attending that the root of the problem lay with providing food on a for-profit basis. The other dominant theme was the connection between health and healthy food, something that would seem obvious to all but those at the top of the decision-making ladder.
The new normal includes a loss of historical memory, but those who used to work in hospital kitchens do remember that staff were part of the care team, they cared for residents and reported any changes in behaviour or eating habits. For more than a decade now, administrators and health boards have seen food as just another expense, like tongue depressors and bed pans.
In opposition, the NDP frequently criticized the Liberal government for its privatization of food services with current health minister Adrian Dix often leading the charge. The NDP generally takes a position against privatization, but so far there has been no commitment to rethink this terrible policy. The mandate Dix received said nothing specifically about hospital food, but it did direct him to strengthen services to ensure seniors receive dignified and quality care.
That should be enough to deal with the issue. Agriculture minister Lana Popham has been directed in her mandate letter to increase the use of local food in hospitals and schools. That’s great, but unless she and Dix fight to end the privatization of food services, it’s just talk.
The other body that needs to step up is the Vancouver Coastal Health board. While residents of Powell River will not get rid of Sodexo’s contract, which runs out in 2019, by themselves, perhaps with a loud enough voice we can get exempted next time around.
Local MLA Nicholas Simons is meeting with VCH this week and will ask that question. That’s a start.
Murray Dobbin is a Powell River freelance writer and social commentator.
