Please note: this article is only applicable to websites built after November 2018.
This article is to help your practice break down the latest Usability Guidance and Benchmarking Tool.
If you are on our "Digital Practice" platform, your website has been built in line with the latest compliance, usability and accessibility standards and therefore will meet the criteria set out in the Benchmarking Tool.
Below is a breakdown of the Benchmarking Tool to allow you to check if your website meets the criteria.
Important - It is the responsibility of the practice to decide what is on your website. If you would like changes to your website, please create a detailed email of exact changes and team will be happy to help.
SECTION 1: PATIENT PRIORITIES
Overlays and pop ups - Well
No pop-ups or overlays before landing on the homepage. Cookies are integrated in the page - NOT an overlay.
Finding the appointments page - Well
Appointments is immediately visible in the main menu and via a link on the homepage.
Appointments page - Well
There is one appointments page, using the word 'appointment' in its heading. Clear, concise information with links about what to do in what circumstances.
Length and structure of the content on the appointments page - Well
Content is broken into sections with clear headings and uses the NHS recommended wording. Copy is made up of short paragraphs (30-60 words).
Information about urgent on the day appointments - Well
An appointments page with a clearly labelled section headed 'urgent appointments'. A clearly written explanation of all options available and how to access them. Information should also include extended access options available to patients.
Information about routine/ pre bookable appointments - Well
A distinct, easy to find section in the appointments page, called 'routine appointments'. A clearly written explanation of all options available with relevant additional information and links.
Information about change/cancel an appointment - Well
Clear instructions of how to change and cancel an appointment. Links to cancel without phoning surgery.
Information about using an online form/OC to request help from the practice - Well
Easy to find online consultation form within the appointment page copy, with clear explanation of when to use the form and link to the form. No overlay for OC tool.
Using recommended terms to describe Online form/OC - content - Well
No use of the term 'Online consultation' or the OC supplier branding. Clear label used. Clear explanation of what happens next and within what time frame.
Explanation of when and how to use NHS app or alternatives - Well
On the appointments page clear details of which apps or online tools enable patients to book, change or cancel an appointment. Links to register for services or to login to the service.
Home visits - Well
Clear information on the Appointments page about when the practice will do home visits and how to request one.
Finding the prescriptions page - Well
Clear link in the main menu at the top, and in the content below:
Information about ordering repeat prescriptions - Well
Clear instructions and link to order medication on website.
Information about online ordering - Well
Clear instructions and link to order medication on website.
Information about how to raise a query about my medication - Well
Clear instructions on how to raise a query about my medications with contact number/email/link.
Find your nearest pharmacy - Well
Services page contains a link to a Services Near Me page where you can enter a postcode and search for a Pharmacy, GP Practice, Hospital, Clinic, Social Care Provider, Dentist or Optician.
Content on the prescriptions page is well structured (with clear headings and short paragraphs) - Well
Content is broken into sections with clear headings. Copy is made up of short paragraphs (30-60 words).
Finding test results information - Well
Clear link on homepage to Test Results
Get my test results via phone - Well
Clear guidance on getting test results and questions about getting your results:
Get my test results online - Well
See above
Finding the 'Contact Us' page - Well
Contact Us is a main menu item at the top of the page
Information on the 'Contact Us' page - Well
Opening hours on the 'Contact Us' page - Well
Out of Hours information on the 'Contact Us' page, including information about 111 -Well
Contact us page contains information about opening times, what to do when we are closed, accessibility, parking, contact details (address, get directions, telephone number and map)
Physical accessibility statement - *Well
*This is content Practice Must Provide
Section 1B PATIENT PRIORITIES
Online accessibility statement - Well
There's an accessibility statement, linked in the footer of the website written in plain English. It is an HTML page.
NHS look and feel - Well
Uses the NHS design framework to build the website.
Using NHS design components - Well
Uses the NHS design framework to build the website
Main menu - Well
Main menu contains key items
Menu visibility - Well
On Desktop, the menu is visible with each item clearly visible without the user having to click on anything to see the menu. On mobile, the menu is accessed via a button with Menu on it.
Navigation: Practice name/logo in the header links back to home - Well
Practice name in the top left of the header on all pages linked to the homepage.
Search box visible to users - Well
Search bar is visible on both desktop and mobile. It contains the word 'search' and has a button to tap/click to submit the search.
Search results delivering relevant results for key patient tasks - Well
4 or more tasks return relevant results with the main page surfaced in the top 3 results.
Reading age of key copy - Well
Key pages contain the NHS recommended wording and long format text is kept to a minimal across other pages.
Volume of copy on the homepage - Well
No paragraphs of text on the homepage, only menu items, short sentences (20 words or fewer) or clear calls to action.
Homepage provides quick links to key patient tasks - Well
Links to all top tasks in top half of homepage.
SECTION 2; ADDITIONAL PRACTICE MANAGER PRIORITIES
Finding information about Join/Register with practice - Well
Join the Practice is immediately visible in the main menu via the big buttons.
Join/Register with practice - information and form/link - Well
The Join the Practice page contains information about how to join the practice and a link to an online registration form.
Join/Register task: Catchment area information and postcode checker - Well
Boundary Map widget available - see above
Information about becoming a patient proxy - Well
Information on join the practice page.
Patient feedback - friends and family test - Well
Friends and family test either placed on home page, or about the surgery page.
Complaints - Well
Easy to find in the Further information section at the bottom of all pages. Informations about how to make a complaint to the practice. Form within the site.
Get a sick/fit note - first and additional - Well
Linked on homepage. Clear, concise information about how and when to get a sick/fit note for the first and additional times with links to online forms for requesting a sick/fit note. Appears in search results.
Finding information about Update patient contact details - Well
Found on "Services" page.
Update patient contact details task: link or form to complete task - Well
A form for patients to contact the practice about a change in their contact details is present.
Flu and covid vaccinations - Well
Found on Services page or via Search box.
List of practice staff members - Well
List of all clinical staff members, their qualifications with their role and whether they are male or female is simple to add. Page is easy to find from the menu.
Assignment to an accountable GP - Well
Information on Join the Practice page.
Find your NHS number - Well
Information on Join the Practice page.
NHS Health A-Z information - Well
Present in Health Information section and Prescriptions page.
Important - MSW supply the tools to the practice and delivers in inline with the latest compliance, usability and accessibility standards. Still, if your group/ICB has different guidance/requirements which they feel are important for their area, you may need to adjust your content.