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Empowering Patients: Voting Rights and Accessibility in Healthcare

annaedwards36

As the UK General Election on 4th July approaches, we have a great opportunity to support our patients in participating in the democratic process. Voting is a crucial way for everyone to get involved in their community, and it’s important for all eligible individuals, regardless of their health status, to have the chance to vote.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has been doing inspiring work, shedding light on how individuals with sight loss can vote confidentially and securely. You can find the RNIB’s informative TikTok here.

In the past, individuals with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities have experienced social isolation and marginalization, leading to lower voting rates compared to the general population. Masum Khwaja’s insightful blog on promoting voting rights for individuals with mental health difficulties provides a comprehensive overview of these challenges (available here).

With the deadline to register to vote approaching on the 18th of June, let’s discuss how we can support our patients and service users in navigating the upcoming general election over the next few weeks.

Understand and Promote Voting by Proxy

I’m embarressed to admit I knew very little about how to vote by proxy before I researched this post!

If your patients or service users are unable to vote in person—whether due to being hospitalised, undergoing surgery, or facing challenges in reaching their local polling station—they can opt for a proxy vote, allowing someone to vote on their behalf. Proxy voting is permissible under certain circumstances.

  1. Being away on polling day

  2. Being registered as an overseas voter

  3. Having a medical issue or disability

  4. Being unable to vote in person due to work or military service

The individual chosen as their proxy should be a trusted person, such as a close family member, friend, or partner, but it must be the patient’s decision.

To register for a proxy vote in the General Election, applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on 18th June 2024. For those in England, Wales, or Scotland, online applications are accepted until 5 pm on 26th June 2024. Postal applications must reach the local Electoral Registration Office by 5 pm on 26th June 2024. In cases where the proxy vote deadline has passed, patients may apply for an emergency proxy vote if they face a medical emergency or disability. More information on voting by proxy can be found here.

Polling Station Accessibility

Healthcare workers can assist by researching and ensuring that local polling stations are accessible. Key accessibility features include:

  1. Wheelchair-accessible entrances and ramps where necessary

  2. Adapted polling booths for wheelchair users

  3. Large print versions of ballot papers

  4. Tactile voting devices for blind voters

  5. Training for polling station staff on assisting partially sighted or blind voters, based on RNIB guidance

  6. Makaton guides for individuals with communication difficulties

Polling station staff are trained to make reasonable adjustments and provide assistance. Under the Equality Act 2010, Returning Officers in Great Britain must anticipate the needs of disabled voters and remove substantial disadvantages, including providing information in accessible formats such as Braille, other languages, and audio formats. More information on ensuring voting accessibility can be found here.

Mental Health Service Users and Rights

There are many myths and misunderstandings regarding the voting rights of individuals under mental health holds, sections, or receiving inpatient mental health care. While offenders detained in a mental hospital are not entitled to vote, this does not include residents in care establishments or psychiatric wards in general hospitals.

Patients in these settings are regarded as residents for voting purposes and can register to vote at the hospital if their stay is long enough to be considered residential. Patients hospitalised for a short time can register to vote at their home address. It is essential to encourage all patients to register to vote before the 18th June deadline. Registration can be done here.

Maintaining Professional Boundaries

While healthcare is inherently political, healthcare workers must navigate political discussions with sensitivity and professionalism. According to the General Medical Council (GMC), doctors must:

  1. Not treat patients unfairly

  2. Not deny patients access to appropriate medical treatment or services

  3. Not cause patients distress

Healthcare workers can discuss personal beliefs only if patients ask directly or indicate interest. Imposing beliefs or causing distress through inappropriate discussion is not acceptable. My advice? reflect on whether such conversations build a therapeutic relationship and maintain trust. If unsure, diverting the conversation to neutral topics like the weather can be a good strategy- especially with our current summer!

This Matters

Healthcare workers play a crucial role in empowering patients to engage in the democratic process by minimising barriers to voting. This not only promotes inclusivity but also strengthens our democratic system. Remember, timely action is essential as deadlines approach, so let’s ensure that all eligible patients have the information and support they need to participate in the upcoming UK General Election.

I am hoping to be speaking more about the roles healthcare providers play as we lead up to the General Election, check out my socials here:

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