This accessibility statement applies to the NHS App. It applies when you are using the NHS App as a mobile application on an iOS or Android device and when you access NHS App services by logging into the NHS App through the NHS website in a web browser.
It does not cover digital services that are not part of the NHS App but which you can access through the NHS App, whether these are run by NHS England, or other providers.
The NHS App is run by NHS England. You need to create an NHS login to use the NHS App. You can read the NHS login accessibility statement.
How you should be able to use the NHS App
We want as many people as possible to be able to use the NHS App.
On a phone or tablet you can use the built-in Apple iOS or Android accessibility settings to make some parts of the NHS App more accessible. You can also log in from the NHS website.
By changing the settings on your web browser or computer you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- zoom in up to 200% with the text staying visible on the screen
- navigate most of the NHS App using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the NHS App using speech recognition software
- listen to most of the NHS App using a screen reader, including the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver
AbilityNet has advice to help you make your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible the NHS App is
We regularly test our content to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA on both mobile and desktop devices. We follow the NHS service manual guidance on accessible design. We also try to make language as simple as possible to understand, following the NHS content guide.
We know some parts of the NHS App are not fully accessible. This includes the following issues.
- You will be asked if you want to stay logged in after 10 minutes of inactivity, but this feature does not recognise input from screen readers as activity.
- You can reach some non-interactive content that is supposed to be invisible using a screen reader.
- Some interactive elements such as buttons have not been given a clear or correct name, role, or value to tell you what they do if you use a screen reader.
- Changing the text size in the accessibility settings on your device does not affect all of the text in the NHS App mobile application. This issue does not apply when you access the NHS App services through the NHS website in a web browser.
- There are some colour contrast issues with text and the border of interactive elements.
Services you can access through the NHS App
The NHS App is a platform that allows you to access a range of NHS services. Many of these services are separate from the NHS App. They have their own accessibility statements.
Services provided by NHS England
- COVID-19 guidance
- Check your COVID-19 vaccination record
- NHS Health Check online
- Manage your referral
- Find services near you
- Register with a GP surgery
- Health A to Z
- Medicines A to Z
- Flu vaccination booking service
- RSV vaccination booking service
- COVID-19 vaccination booking service
- National data opt out
- Proxy application service
- NHS 111 online
Services not provided by NHS England
Some services you can access through the NHS App are not provided by NHS England. The NHS organisations who commission these services are responsible for meeting the accessibility regulations.
You can find a list of integrated partner services.
Feedback and contact information
We're always looking to improve the accessibility of the NHS App. We respond positively to feedback.
If you find any problems not listed on this page or you think we're not meeting accessibility requirements, email enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 72 hours.
If you need to see your health information in a different format, ask your health care provider for help. The NHS App can only show the information provided by your health care provider.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Website 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 the accessibility of the NHS App
NHS England is committed to making the NHS App accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
The NHS App for iOS and Android devices (and access from a web browser) are partially compliant with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. This is due to the non-compliances and/or the exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
(a) Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
On the Book a GP appointment page, on iOS, the drop-down menu is missing the appropriate value, and these options should be served as hints. This fails criterion 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A).
Disproportionate burden
There are some accessibility issues with the NHS App on Apple iOS, and accessed using a web browser, which we have assessed and consider a disproportionate burden to resolve.
They are listed below and we have provided more detailed information in our disproportionate burden statement.
Navigating to web content areas using full keyboard access in Apple iOS
The full keyboard access feature in Apple iOS does not allow users to navigate into web content areas within the NHS App, as required by WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard). This is a known platform issue that affects all web content on apps available on iOS and it's ultimately down to Apple to fix.
Resizing text size in Apple iOS
When using the NHS App on Apple iOS it's not possible to resize the text of some web content using the system settings, as required by WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.4 (Resize text). This is a known platform issue that affects web content on apps available on iOS and it's for Apple to fix.
(b) Content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Messages sent before version 2.0 of the NHS App went live on 4 November 2021 contain text that is visually presented as headings but has not been assigned a heading property. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
As these messages have already been sent it's not possible to resolve this issue, and user may be able to find these messages in history. All messages now sent fully meet WCAG 2.2 1.3.1 success criteria.
The NHS App allows users to view documents, letters and images from your healthcare providers, including your GP or hospital, who are separate organisations to NHS England. Some of these are not accessible in a number of ways.
The NHS healthcare organisations that provide this information are responsible for meeting the accessibility regulations. Contact the NHS organisation that published the document, letter or image to report any problems or request an alternative format.
Preparation of this statement
This statement was prepared on 23 September 2024. It was last reviewed on 5 November 2025.
The NHS App was last tested against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard:
- iOS on 18 June 2024
- Android on 4 July 2024
- Browser version on 11 June 2024
The test was carried out by Dig Inclusion. All NHS App screens were included in the test.