A to Z of NHS health writing in the service manual

[Tosin-Balogun]

Use this issue to discuss A to Z of NHS health writing in the service manual. Please let us know if you identify any entries we should add and share any research findings you can.

We already have GitHub issues for many of the entries on the page. If you want to comment on a specific issue, and there is already an issue for it, please use that issue.

• A to Z list - the initial list, published 2018
• abdomen, stomach, tummy
• anus, back passage, bottom, rectum
• buttocks and bum
• call, phone, ring or dial
• calories - how to format them
• cervical screening or smear test
• chronic or acute
• coronavirus (COVID-19)
• deafness, loss of hearing, tinnitus and the social model of disability
• death - guidance on the language
• drowsy, sleepy and sedating
• experience
• Fahrenheit - removing values from content
• fart, gas, wind
• fetus or baby
• fit (seizure)
• a GP or your GP
• GP practice and GP surgery
• GP system suppliers
• health records or medical records, also health history
• homeless
• NHS App - adding further information to the 'NHS App' entry in the A to Z
• NHS 111 online service
• NHS number format
• People or patients - probably not customers, consumers or service users
• personal child health record -pharmacy or chemist
• PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
• site map or sitemap
• summary care record
• trimesters or weeks in pregnancy

Still working on this list.

[GeorgeCritchley]

I've been working on a year long project refreshing content for a paediatric provider and would happily provide a section on how we refer to children and families. This guidance is currently missing from the A-Z.

[sarawilcox]

Hi @GeorgeCritchley, I'd be very interested to hear more about what you have in mind. Could you share something here in GitHub, or if you prefer, contact the service manual by email at service-manual@nhs.net.

[SJ999000]

It would be helpful to have entries for poorly and unwell - I’d vote for not using poorly as it seems babyish and patronising to me but it would be interesting if there is any user research on this.

I’d also like clear and sensible guidance on writing about pregnancy and pregnant women, ie some guidance saying that it’s ok to use the term pregnant women. I’ve seen “pregnant women and people” used a lot in NHS comms and also the term “birthing people”. I think these terms are unclear and confusing for women experiencing deprivation who are likely to have lower literacy and who we know have poorer health outcomes. Using these terms instead of clearer ones like “pregnant women” means we are prioritising the wishes of a small number of campaigners over the needs of women who don’t have the resources to advocate for themselves.