This accessibility statement applies to content published on this website.
We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- understand the information we provide.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible is our website
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard. We aim to meet international accessibility guidelines, however this may not always be possible, or we may have missed a problem.
Below is some of the content that is not yet fully accessible:
- some of our content with images does not have alternative text to provide more context on the intent and purpose of the images
- some PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software. We plan to fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages
If you have difficulty using our website
Please get in touch if you require any of our leaflets or published documents in alternative formats, such as large print or alternative languages, or if you cannot use this site:
You’ll need to provide:
- The web address (URL) of the content
- Your name and email address
- The format you require, for example audio CD, Braille or accessible PDF
Contact information:
Patient Experience team – esh-tr.PatientExperience@nhs.net
Or write to:
Patient Experience team
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Kings Drive
Eastbourne, BN21 2UD
Enforcement procedure
If you contact us with a complaint and you are not happy with our response, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
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’).
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
We are committed to making our website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons:
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
- Accessibility issue
Some images do not have a text alternative, so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1 (non-text content). We are working to fix existing inaccessible content by the end of 2024. All new content we publish meets accessibility standards. - Trust board agenda papers
We are working towards making these documents fully accessible. Areas we are working on achieving by July 2024 are: WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast; WCAG 2.4.2 Page titled; WCAG 3.1.1 Language of Page; WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Tables; WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text content. In the meantime, if you require any of our Board papers in a different format please contact the Assistant Company Secretary using the contact details available on this page.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Accessibility of PDF documents
Under the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (“the Regulation”), we are not required to provide PDF documents created prior to 23 September 2018 in an accessible format unless the PDF document is essential to service delivery (“Pre-2018 ESD Documents”).
PDF patient information leaflets
We are working towards making our patient information leaflets more accessible. This is part of a larger piece of work to renew and update patient information more generally. This project includes how we govern the information we provide patients, the structure of this information, the content of the information and ensuring that it is accessible for those who need it.
How we tested
Testing has been conducted by the website hosting and maintenance team at dxw.
Accessibility review
Our website was reviewed by the Government Digital Service in the Cabinet Office in July 2023. View the report.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
The guidelines have three levels of accessibility (A, AA and AAA). We’ve chosen Level AA as the target for the our website.
While we are only partially compliant with the Level AA, we are working towards being fully compliant.
We monitor the website regularly to maintain this, but if you do find any problems, please get in touch at: esh-tr.AccessibleInformation@nhs.net
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 21 September 2020. It was last reviewed and updated on 20 November 2023.
This website was last tested on 21 September 2020. The test was carried out by The Dextrous Web Ltd (trading as dxw).
dxw carried out automated and manual testing using assistive technology, different web browsers and mobile devices using a sample of pages that represented the most commonly occurring page types.