Public-facing NHS websites have a huge job to do. They support patients, staff, carers and partners, often in moments of worry when clarity really matters. In 2026, a great NHS website isn’t about flashy features or trends, it’s about doing the basics well and doing them consistently.
Accessibility comes first
Accessibility isn’t an add‑on and it’s certainly not optional. If a website doesn’t work for everyone, it doesn’t work full stop. Meeting WCAG 2.2 standards is essential, but good accessibility goes much further than compliance.
Clear layouts, readable text, sensible contrast and straightforward navigation make life easier for all users, not just those with specific access needs. When accessibility is built in from the start, everyone benefits. Find out more about how we approach accessibility at Frank.
Clear beats clever
People visit NHS websites to find answers, not to work hard. The best sites are simple, well structured and written in plain English.
If content is easy to scan and actions are obvious, users feel more confident, even when the information itself is complex. We support all our clients with clear and practical guidance on writing accessible content.
Consistent design, clear messaging, and up to date content all help users feel confident that they’re in the right place. Broken links, cluttered pages and outdated information do the opposite. A good NHS website feels reliable and reassuring without having to say it out loud.
Easy for teams to manage
A good CMS needs to work well for the people managing it every day. We design public and staff facing websites with clear structures and straightforward navigation, so teams can update and publish content easily. An intuitive CMS gives teams confidence to make changes quickly, without relying on technical support for routine updates.
Our CMS includes a library of flexible modules created specifically for NHS organisations. These modules have been shaped by direct NHS feedback and ongoing accessibility, governance and content requirements. Using simple drag‑and‑drop blocks and in context editing, teams can keep content consistent and compliant while staying in control.
Manage content once, publish it everywhere
The CMS supports alias pages and global content blocks, so the same information never has to be maintained in multiple places. Alias pages let teams update a single piece of content in several locations across the site while keeping one authoritative source. When content is updated in one place, every alias updates automatically.
Global content blocks work in the same way for shared elements. Teams can publish or amend these blocks once and be confident the change is reflected consistently wherever they appear. This reduces duplication, lowers the risk of inconsistencies and makes admin much simpler.
When content is easy to manage, it stays accurate and up to date. That helps teams do their jobs properly and gives users reliable information they can trust. A website should support the people running it and make day‑to‑day work simpler.
Design for real people
Good design doesn’t start with assumptions, it starts with listening. Our stakeholder engagement is shaped around what each organisation needs. That might mean structured interviews with senior teams, interactive user sessions that give everyone a voice, or quick, accessible digital surveys that reach a wider audience.
This insight feeds directly into content, navigation and design, helping us create websites that feel clearer, work better, and support people properly in real‑world situations. When users feel listened to, they’re more confident using the site and more likely to trust it.
If you’re planning your next digital project, we’d love to talk it through with you.