Top navigation

Use the top navigation to help users access ‘Help’ and ‘Account and settings’ links from anywhere in the app.

When to use

The top navigation is visible at the top almost every screen within the main app journey. The exception is when external pages open in a web browser overlay.

The top navigation remains fixed in position as users scroll.

When not to use

On the web browser version of the NHS App, we use an NHS.UK header with text links, instead of the top navigation with icons.

How to use

The top navigation includes a link to the NHS App help and support pages hosted on NHS.UK. This is a contextual link that takes users to a page relevant to their location in the app. For example, if a user is on a prescription screen, the help link will open a help page about prescriptions.

The top also includes an ’Account and settings’ link. This opens the respective hub page.

Accessibility

The top navigation icons do not have text labels. They have aria labels which are announced by screen readers.

Research

In our research, people recognised the meaning of the icons without the need for text labels.

Help improve this component

To help make sure that this page is useful, relevant and up to date, you can:

• take part in the 'Top navigation' discussion on GitHub and share your research
• propose a change on GitHub - read more about how to propose changes in GitHub

You can also share feedback with us on Slack.