Accessibility

This accessibility statement applies to the NHS inform website. It explains how accessible this site is, what to do if you have difficulty using it, and how to report accessibility problems.

The website is run by NHS 24.

Using the website

We are continuously working to make NHS inform (nhsinform.scot) accessible. We want to ensure that everyone who visits the website can find the information they are looking for.

We try to make our site easy to use and accessible by including:

• alternative text
• subtitles for media content (where appropriate)
• easier-to-read colours
• a toolbar (ReachDeck) which has text-to-speech, reading and translation support

We also use plain English in website text to make information as easy as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has more advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We have identified some accessibility issues within the website.

Known issues include:

• some interactive tools are difficult to use with a keyboard or screen reader software, including some self-help guides
• some buttons on the site have no accessible titles so it's difficult for screen users to learn what these controls do
• you cannot modify the line height or spacing of text
• data tables can be difficult for screen readers to use
• some voice overs of images do not provide a useful image description

Feedback and contact information

We are always looking for ways to improve the accessibility of NHS inform. If you cannot access a particular part of the site or want to report an accessibility problem please contact our health information team.

You can also contact us to request health information in a different language or format.

Please contact us at:

• email: nhs.inform@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the 'accessibility regulations').

If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

NHS 24 is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance Status

This website is not compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Forms

• form field labels, which identify controls like checkboxes and drop-down menus, aren't always unique so it can be difficult for screen readers to tell labels apart and navigate through pages

Interactive tools

• some self-help guides contain hidden elements, like buttons, that are not voiced by a screen reader meaning users experience silence at these points

Navigation

• some pages have the same title so it cannot be used to tell pages apart
• headings do not always have text for screen readers attached so this means they do not have anything to read aloud and users cannot navigate around sections of the page quickly

Screen readers

• some form controls, like buttons, do not have a name linked to them so screen readers do not have a label to voice when reading these controls
• issues in the build of complex tables affect the relationship between headings and cells of data making the table inaccessible to users of assistive technology

Images

• some images do not have a text alternative so people using a screen reader cannot access the information

Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents

Where possible we aim to make documents accessible and/or provide a suitable HTML alternative.

However, many of our older PDFs do not meet accessibility standards. The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they're not essential to providing our services.

What we're doing to improve accessibility

At NHS 24, creating an accessible service is a team effort. We want our teams to make accessible services by:

• considering accessibility at the start of their project, and throughout
• making accessibility the whole team's responsibility
• carrying out regular accessibility audits and testing

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 16 March 2016. It was last reviewed on 12 October 2021.

This website was last tested on 11 May 2021. The test was carried out by Tactuum Ltd.

During this site quality report, 21350 pages and images were checked. To measure accessibility, pages were evaluated against all level A and AA success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1.

This website's accessibility will be reviewed on a regular basis. We will update this accessibility statement with any relevant changes.