The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) delivers world-leading research to safely and efficiently translate new technologies into health and care.
When NIHR’s HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, digital and robotics needed a new website to better engage and involve audiences in technology development, an expert NHS team from Arden & GEM and Midlands & Lancashire CSUs was commissioned.
Launched in September 2024, the new user-friendly website showcases research across the major areas of unmet need and delivers a comprehensive resource of information for visitors.
The challenge
The NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, digital and robotics (HRC-DDR) is one of 14 centres of excellence in the UK. NIHR delivers world-leading research to improve people’s health and wellbeing, with HRC-DDR supporting the uptake of new healthcare technologies into health and social care.
The Research Centre brokers relationships between industry and clinical practice to test new technologies in community settings. A new website was required to engage and involve audiences and stakeholders in supporting the development of medical devices, diagnostics and digital technologies.
The collaborative Communications and Engagement team from Arden & GEM and Midlands & Lancashire CSUs was commissioned to build the new website. Our team are subject matter experts in the delivery of innovative design approaches and cutting-edge communications websites for NHS organisations across the country.
Our approach
The aspiration was to create a user-friendly website delivering a comprehensive resource of information for stakeholders and other site visitors. A six-stage approach was utilised which included the development of interactive website concepts, engaging stakeholders for feedback, and reviewing site structure and content using a mapping tool.
Responsive and accessible design
A streamlined, professional design was developed by the Communications and Engagement Design team following NIHR brand guidelines. This ensured the design had its own unique website identity, while honouring the NIHR brand within the new website. Through iterative concept testing and feedback, the design was refined to ensure it met the needs of stakeholders.
The website is responsive by design across all devices, optimised for the best possible user journey, with testing at various stages during the project to ensure all technical, functional and aesthetic goals are met in addition to the necessary assurance around compliance.
Simplifying content management
A fully customisable WordPress content management
system (CMS) was built by the Communications and Engagement Digital team to ensure managing site content is intuitive for the client.
Easy-to-use functionality for uploading reports and case studies was implemented, as well as integrating an advanced search feature with content tagging and filtering capabilities to enhance user navigation.
Optimising search and signposting
Clear signposting to high-traffic areas with calls to actions formed a key remit of the media rich design, with sections for researchers, patients and industry partners, and content optimised for search engines.
Yoast SEO integration supports enhanced search engine optimisation (SEO) for page content ensuring the website is visible on search engines.
The outcomes
Following its launch in September 2024, the new website showcases NIHR’s research across the major areas of unmet need in the translation of health and social care technologies.
It provides a seamless user journey with clear navigation to key research themes, information for industry and partners, and information for patients and the public.
The enhanced CMS functionality ensures site content can be easily managed by the client supporting the future growth of the site.
The website delivers a professional, fresh and modern design interface incorporating the NIHR branding, and accessibility that meets the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 success criteria.
Visit the NIHR HRC-DDR website
"We have enjoyed working with the CSU team – the process of developing the new website was smooth and not as overwhelming as originally anticipated. The team kept us up to date with progress and delivered our new website to meet our deadline. We are really pleased with the end result."
Olivia Brookes, Research Programmes Infrastructure Manager, NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, digital and robotics