Pages

Sub-hub pages

Sub-hubs are the second layer of menu pages in the NHS App. They are positioned one level down from hub pages.

Sub-hubs group closely related series of links. They reveal information to users in a way that lets them decide where to go next, without being overwhelmed by too many options or distracted by irrelevant options on hub pages.

Sub-hub page structure

Sub-hubs have a relatively consistent structure to establish rhythm and familiarity as users navigate the NHS App.

The structure of a sub-hub page in the NHS App

Back button

The back button on a sub-hub takes the user back to the relevant hub.

Main heading

The main heading should describe the type of information grouped within the sub-hub. It should match the label on the preceding card link. Some sub-hub main headings may be supported by a short description to provide more information to the user.

Sub-headings

Sub-headings provide additional structure to sub-hubs by creating meaningful groups of card links which help with navigation. In the prescriptions, appointments, test results and documents sub-hubs, two sub-headings are consistently used:

  • GP surgery – options relating to primary care
  • Hospital – options relating to secondary care

Research showed that users' mental models of their health information and tasks relating to healthcare are often organised by care setting or type. Structuring the sub-hubs to reflect this helps users find what they are looking for. Sometime, due to the way data is shared between GP surgeries and hospitals, certain health information can blend between the two. This is an aspect of the experience we are monitoring to ensure users can always find what they need.

Sub-headings should also be used if a sub-hub has more than 5 card links. Research shows that users can be overwhelmed by long lists of card links on pages, which clear sub-sections can alleviate.

Card links on sub-hub pages can take users to deeper layers of menu pages or the start of services and other journeys. Some card link labels in sub-hubs or deeper menu pages may be supported by a short description, if a user need for one has been uncovered.

Sub-hubs in the app

There are currently 8 sub-hubs in the NHS App:

  • Prescriptions
  • Appointments
  • Test results
  • Vaccinations
  • Health conditions
  • Documents
  • Manage health services for others (proxy access)
  • Health choices

Some sub-hubs, such as test-results and health conditions, will present differently to users depending on their GP surgery's IT supplier. For example some users will see Allergoes and adverse reactions as a sub-hub they can access from the home screen in place of the Health conditions sub-hub.

Research

In our research, people were able to use sub-hubs to complete tasks and they understood where they were in the app. Some users were not aware that they could scroll to view the bottom of the sub-hub pages. However, this may have been influenced by our testing with a prototype rather than users' own devices.

Help improve this pattern

The NHS App design system team would like to hear:

  • how you have used this pattern in your service
  • any feedback you have about its usage, for example accessibility or ideas for improvement

Add these comments to the 'Sub-hub pages' discussion on GitHub.