Being able to vote empowers people with mental illness to have a political voice and promotes social inclusion. Evidence shows that patients with mental illness are less likely to vote compared to the general population.

This study explores the knowledge and uptake of the voting rights of adult patients in a psychiatric hospital in the 2015 UK general election.

To understand patients’ eligibility and intentions to vote during the 2015 UK general election. To establish what assistance patients may require in order to vote.

A staff-assisted survey was undertaken in all mental health wards in the Gordon Hospital, Westminster prior to the general election in May 2015.

A total of 51 surveys were returned. Seventy-five percent thought they were eligible to vote, and 47% had already registered. Of those that had not yet registered, 37% wanted staff support to do so. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents intended to vote and of those 9 out of 10 intended to vote in person. Twenty-six percent of those intending to vote identified needing assistance in this process.

The majority of inpatients were aware of their eligibility to vote. Over half of the respondents planned to vote, which is lower than the UK average. As 1 in 4 patients intending to vote requested support, this suggests potential barriers impacting on their ability to exercise their right.

Multidisciplinary teams can provide valuable assistance to patients in the voting process in many ways, including information provision, organisation of leave and providing staff escort.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Voting is an essential human right. Being able to vote and participate in elections is an important component of social inclusion; empowering people with mental illness to have a political voice and in turn reducing stigma. Previous research indicates that patients with mental illness are less likely to vote compared to the general population.

This study explores knowledge and uptake of the voting rights of adults living in mental health supported accommodation in Westminster (London) in the 2015 UK general election.

Understand patients’ awareness of their eligibility to register and cast their vote. Identify patients’ interest in engaging in the voting process and strategies to overcome potential obstacles.

A staff-assisted survey was undertaken in all mental health supported accommodation across Westminster prior to the general election in May 2015.

A total of 142 surveys were returned. Nine out of 10 surveyed believed they were eligible to vote; over half wanted to exercise their right to vote & if registered, a third felt they required assistance to vote.

The majority of community patients were positively aware of the impending general election and their own eligibility to vote. Only half wanted to exercise their right to vote, which is lower than the general population. As a third of the patients requested assistance for voting, this shows us that there are potential barriers impacting on their ability to exercise their right to vote. Staffs have an important role in promoting patient's right to vote by providing assistance with both the registering and voting process.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Being 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.

To 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.

To 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.

A 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.

in 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.

It 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.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.