Skip to main content Skip to footer

Accessibility statement for Catalyst

This accessibility statement applies to Catalyst. It is an online application which allows users to access prescribing data.

This website is run by the NHS Business Services Authority. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:  

  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • change screen orientation to portrait or landscape
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent version of NVDA)

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible, as:

  • most pages do not contain a heading structure making it difficult to navigate
  • some pages do not have meaningful page titles or do not have page titles at all
  • pages use a layout that can make it difficult when using a screen reader
  • pages contain missing or inappropriate form labels
  • pages contain empty or missing links
  • the contrast between foreground and background makes the website difficult to read
  • some pages have images which are difficult to identify with a screen reader
  • logos do not have the correct alternative text
  • some of our pages are difficult to navigate using just a keyboard
  • you can not skip to the main content when using a screen reader
  • some text is too small or badly formatted and you cannot modify the type, size or spacing of text
  • error messages are complex and difficult to understand
  • messages and pop up boxes are not identified clearly by a screen reader
  • all pages contain Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) attributes that have not been applied correctly which makes using assistive technology difficult
  • you cannot navigate all pages on this website using screen reader software
  • you may not be able to navigate this website using speech recognition software

How to request content in an accessible format

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, you can contact us by:

Email: accessibility@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.

This inbox is only for accessibility queries. This inbox is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, you can contact us by:

Email: accessibility@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

This inbox is only for accessibility queries. This inbox is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.

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).

Contact us

For all queries not accessibility related, you can contact us by:

Email: informationsystems@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

NHS Business Services Authority is committed to making its 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 listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Most pages do not contain a heading structure making it difficult to navigate. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).

Some pages have missing or uninformative page titles. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.2 (Page Title).

Most pages contain layout tables to position content visually which can cause reading and navigation issues especially for people using screen readers. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) and 1.3.2 (Meaningful Sequence).

Certain pages have issues with missing and empty form labels. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels), 1.1.1 (Non-text Content), 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) and 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions).

Certain pages have issues with missing and empty links. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose).

Some pages contain elements that have very low contrast between foreground and background. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast Minimum).

Some pages have images which have issues with alternative text. This means people using a screen reader cannot access the information properly. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content).

Logos and images do not have the correct alternative text. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.5 (Images of Text).

Some pages contain technical features that make navigation with a keyboard difficult. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.1.1 (Keyboard) and 3.2.2 (On Input).

Certain pages do not have the option to skip the repeated content in the page header such as ‘skip to main content’. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks) and 3.2.3 (Consistent Navigation).

It’s not possible for users to change text size or formatting. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.4 (Resize Text).

Error messages do not clearly describe what went wrong and how to fix the problem. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.3.1 (Error Identification).

Important messages and pop up boxes are not picked up or not conveyed accurately by screen readers. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.3 (Status Messages).

All pages contain Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) attributes that have not been applied correctly which makes using assistive technology difficult.  This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.1.1 (Non-text Content), 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships), 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels) and 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).

It’s not possible to navigate all of the website using speech recognition software. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value) and 4.1.3 (Status Messages).

It’s not possible to navigate all of the website using screen reader software. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value) and 4.1.3 (Status Messages).

We plan to work with our third-party supplier to fix all these issues.

When we publish new content, we’ll make sure it meets accessibility standards.

Disproportionate burden

Not applicable

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Not applicable

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We’re committed to making sure this website is compliant to WCAG 2.1 ‘AA’ standard.

Every new released website will be designed, built and tested to meet ‘AA’ standards by default.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 15 September 2020. It was last reviewed 30 September 2021.

This website was last tested on 11 September 2020. The test was carried out by the Insight Information Services training team.

We tested a sample of the website screens to meet ‘AA’ WCAG 2.1 standards, using manual and automated tests.

We run each webpage through automated Wave, Lighthouse and Axe accessibility tools then manually test with screen reader (NVDA) and standards checklists.

These checklists contain standards that have been compiled using WCAG, NHS service manual and GDS guidance.