News

The NHS Direct online health and symptom checkers, which we designed and developed as part of our full site rethink, won the award for 'innovation in strategy' at the e-Government National Awards in January.

These awards recognise initiatives that enable UK businesses and citizens to more effectively interact with the public sector institutions that serve them.

As for the work we did, NHS Direct came to us wanting to improve their online offer and build on the good reputation of their phone service. We worked to help align their corporate objectives with public needs and developed a confident new site design that focuses on quick access to the symptom-checker functions, bringing the essence of the NHS Direct service to life online.

Clear calls to action and carefully structured information architecture aim to encourage users and win commitment to see the symptom-check journey to the end. Messaging is colour-coded to underline meaning and the level of urgency. Throughout the design process we used user-centred methods, alongside project partner Bunnyfoot, including focus groups, to ensure public and professional audiences are well-catered for with the new design and structure.

"The point of the design is to make the experience of using the NHS Direct web service as easy and rewarding as possible". Michael Guida, Project Director.