Knowledge of patients’ voting rights amongst mental health professionals working in the London Borough of Westminster during the 2015 UK general election

Abstract

IntroductionBeing able to participate in elections and to vote are important components of social inclusion; empowering people with mental illness to have a voice.It is important that mental health professionals understand the voting rights of adults with mental illness in order to be able to provide appropriate advice and support.ObjectivesTo explore knowledge of the voting rights of adults living with mental illness amongst mental health professionals working in both community and inpatient settings in Westminster, London.AimsTo understand the level of knowledge amongst mental health professionals regarding the voting rights of patients with mental illness in order to identify unmet training needs.MethodsA survey, in the form of a staff quiz was undertaken in all community and inpatient teams prior to the May 2015 general election. All multidisciplinary team members were included.Resultsin total, 211 surveys were completed. Ninety-eight percent of staff correctly identified that being a psychiatric inpatient does not change an individual's right to vote. Less than 50% of the staff members demonstrated correct understanding of the rights of patients detained under forensic sections, and the rights of the homeless to vote.ConclusionsIt is encouraging that knowledge of voting rights amongst staff appeared higher in our survey than in some published surveys. However, despite the development of a Trust Voting Rights Policy and Educational Film prior to the 2015 general election further staff education, particularly the rights of those detained under forensic sections or who are homeless, is required.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.