Accessibility Statement
This page was last updated on 5 December 2023.
This accessibility statement applies to https://www.wuth.nhs.uk/
This website is run by Wirral University Teaching Hospital, and we want as many people as possible to be able to use it. That means you should be able to:
- Change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- Zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- Listen to most of the website using a screen reader
- Access the site through the Accessibility tab for different languages, Browsealoud and to change the contrast settings.
We've also made the website text as simple as possible to understand, and you can navigate most of the website using just a keyboard.
AbilityNet has advice on making your phone, computer or tablet easier to use, depending on your needs.
Accessibility Toolbar
Located at the top of every page is our accessibility toolbar, labelled 'Accessibility'
Click on the toolbar to view various accessible options, including:
- Text size
- Contrast
- Language
- Browse Aloud (Speak)
Compliance Status
Technical information about the website’s accessibility
We are committed to making this website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and the exemptions listed below.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).
When we publish new content, we’ll make sure our use of images meets accessibility standards.
Further non-compliances are listed below under ‘Non accessible content’ and ‘Outstanding issues’. These are being addressed. The Trust is expecting to procure a new website or website upgrade in the next 2 years.
Non- accessible content
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations PDFs and other documents
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.
Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
Live video
We do not plan to add captions to live video streams because live video is exempt from meeting the accessibility regulations. We do provide subtitled video content on our social media and You Tube channels.
Disproportionate Burden Assessment
Since the WUTH website was built, standards for web accessibility changed in September 2018 and web accessibility tools have advanced with technology. Archive PDF documents on the WUTH website (before December 2023) may not be fully accessible to users of assistive technology.
The Trust has assessed the cost and feasibility of retrospectively converting all PDFs on the site (since September 2018) into new format PDFs, which feature an accessibility checker. The cost of doing so is assessed as onerous and a disproportionate burden on a publicly funded NHS body.
The pages hosting PDF documents are the Trust’s Board Reports, Agendas and Papers, Council of Governors’ Agendas and Reports and Strategy pages Board Meetings | Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (wuth.nhs.uk)
Outstanding issues
Outstanding WCAG issues and additional issues which we are addressing:
Multiple pages
WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard:The search bar cannot be accessed using the keyboard. While this now receives focus, you cannot type in the search bar unless you click into it using the mouse.
Home & Wirral Women and Children's Hospital
WCAG 2.4.7 Focus Visible: The focus in the 'Wirral Women's, Children's and Community Hospital News' carousel appears and disappears when tabbing through the page.
Wirral Women and Children's Hospital
WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard: The left and right arrows under 'Wirral Women's, Children's and Community Hospital News' cannot be accessed using the keyboard, although they receive visible focus
Public Board of Directors - 25th January 2023 PDF
WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (PDF): This document has elements which do not have sufficient colour contrast, such as the 'Quality Performance Dashboard' table in Appendix 1.
Additional issues
Multiple pages
WCAG 2.4.7 Focus Visible: The focus is barely visible on the 'Accessibility' button in the header
Home
WCAG 1.4.10 Reflow: At 400% zoom, the carousel does not reflow correctly, meaning the user cannot access the full content.
WCAG 1.4.10 Reflow: At 400% zoom, the user has to scroll horizontally to view the full page content (namely the 'News around the Trust' section).
WCAG 4.1.2 Name, Role Value: The pause button link in the carousel does not have discernible text.
WCAG 2.4.3 Focus Order: The focus order on this page is now very odd, going into the carousel before the top of the page
Contact
4.3. Contrast (minimum): When receiving focus or hover the sidebar links, such as 'Get in touch' and 'Media Relations', do not have sufficient colour contrast.
Wirral Women and Children's Hospital
WCAG 2.4.3 Focus Order: The focus moves to the 'Have PCOS and trying for a baby? Join our research trial!' pop-out after moving through some of the background page content, making it hard for user to quickly dismiss the pop-out.
WCAG 2.4.3 Focus Order: The focus order on this page is now very odd, going into the carousel before the top of the page
WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard: The 'x' button in the 'Have PCOS and trying for a baby? Join our research trial!' pop-out cannot be actioned using the keyboard
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 5 December 2023.
This website was last tested on 21st November 2023.
The test was carried out by the Government Digital Service. The most viewed pages were tested using automated testing tools by our website team. A further audit of the website was carried out to the WCAG 2.2 AA standard. This test is not a full audit as it only covers a subset of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and pages so should not be viewed as a full accessibility audit.
You can read the full accessibility test report https://reports.accessibility-monitoring.service.gov.uk/reports/6562cdde-8bcf-4fb3-a636-192aed8e74d9
Feedback and contact information
If you need information on this website in a different format like an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or Braille, please email: wuth.website@nhs.net
Reporting accessibility problem with this website
We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website.
If you find any problems or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please email: wuth.website@nhs.net, where your email will be picked up and responded to by the Communications Department.
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).