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Monday, May 23, 2011

Voting arrangements for hospital patients

Hospital patients had to be declared fit by their consul-tant doctor before leaving hospital to vote in the referendum, the government said yesterday.

This would be indicated in the patient’s history file, to-gether with the need for that particular person to go by ambulance or another form of transport.

The Health Department was offering transport to the polling stations and back. However, patients could also make arrangements with their relatives.

In this case, relatives had to request permission in writing to the hospital administrator to take a patient out to vote. Such permit had to be shown on the day of the referendum to the hospital’s security officer to be able to access the hospital and then also to the official in charge of the transport of patients.

If patients opted to vote despite their doctor’s advice to the contrary, they would have to sign a document shouldering responsibility for their decision. Any patient who did so could use any form of transport he wishes.

Arrangements were under way to enable patients to leave their voting document in the possession of the hospital authorities securely, the government said.

On the day of the referendum, visiting hours, outpatient services and medicine distribution from outpatients will not be affected.

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Mr Victor vella

May 23rd 2011, 12:31

Leave these people alone! They need prayers and they do not care about divorce or not divorce. We are really intensive type of nation. They are being forced to do so. This is our Catholic, Christine faith. Oh my God what a nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Danika Vella

May 23rd 2011, 14:59

They have every right to refuse to vote, just like you or me. No one is being forced to do anything. I hope you are not implying that if they are at hospital, they should not be given the right to vote? There are patients who are not fit for travel, but then there are others who are in hospital for checkups or for minor things, and who are able to move independently and DO want to vote. Shouldn't their rights be respected then?

Noel Tonna

May 23rd 2011, 11:57

Wouldn't it have been better to facilitate the non movement of patients by installing a polling station at the hospital to avoid patients having to go through all this trouble? The patients would have their voting cards with them, so what problem would this create? Alternatively a voting commisioner can go through the wards with an assistant and patients could actually vote from their beds. This could also be done at all the other hospitals and homes for the elderly. Unfortunately we are still lagging behind, in other civilized countries people vote using electronic means, be it internet or otherwise. Why do patients have to go out of their way, sign documents and perhaps place their health in jeopardy to do their civil duty?

Mr Ronald Cauchi

May 23rd 2011, 15:02

Oh sure! With maybe a reverend or two standing by or memebers of MUSEUM or Catholic Action spouting out Rosaries as old people vote.

Chris Farrugia

May 23rd 2011, 11:14

"This is what the Lord says: Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass .... And Saul ... utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword." (1 Samuel 15:3,7-8)

Mr Lawrence Fenech

May 23rd 2011, 10:59

I shudder to thing of these arrangements and the ones for St. Vincent de Paule.

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Voting arrangements for hospital patients

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