Letter

Measures are needed to allow elderly inpatients to vote in general elections

BMJ 1998; 316 doi: 10.1136/bmj.316.7130.552 (Published 14 February 1998)
Cite this as: BMJ 1998;316:552.1

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  1. V Aylett, Specialist registrara,
  2. G Cook, Specialist registrara,
  3. O J Corrado, Consultant physiciana
  1. a Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds LS1 3EX

    Editor—Smith and Humphreys expressed concern over the eligibility of patients detained under the Mental Health Act to vote.1 We have similar worries about elderly patients losing their opportunity to vote.

    We interviewed 248 patients (87% of the total geriatric inpatient population) on 10 geriatric wards in two Leeds hospitals within 14 days of last year's general election. A medical assessment was made of the patient's fitness to vote on the day. Patients …

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