Update to include more content for initial MAYS design history

Author: LeeGathercole

app/posts/manage-your-screening/2025/03/2025-03-25-introduction-to-team-mays.md

@@ -1,44 +1,41 @@
 ---
 title: Introduction to team MAYS
+description: The purpose of the team and future vision of the Manage Your Screening service.
 date: 2025-03-25
 ---
 
 ## Opportunity
 
-Mays is working to deliver:
+We’re working to make screening easier to understand, easier to access, and easier to manage.
+Right now, the experience can feel confusing or disconnected—especially if you’re taking part in more than one screening programme. We’re changing that by:
 
-Reduced dependencies on legacy tech stacks
-
-Consistent participant experiences across all screening pathways (Participant Manager)
-
-An end-to-end orchestration process for screening programmes that can dynamically adapt to business needs (Pathway Co-ordinator)
+- Replacing outdated systems that make things harder than they need to be
+- Creating one simple, consistent journey—no matter which screening you’re invited to
+- Building a service that can adapt as your needs, or the NHS’s needs, change over time
 
 ## Hypothesis
 
-We believe that by building a Single Source of Truth for screening data we will deliver a solution that gives participants the right information, at moments that matter, in an experience that empowers them to take preventative action to improve their health.
+We believe that if your screening information is all in one place, you’ll feel more informed, more confident, and more in control of your health.
+When you know what to expect—and when—you’re better able to take action at the right time.
 
 ## Future vision
 
-MAYs will give Participants a consistent screening experience and access to screening information all in one place:
-
-- Pathway enrolment
-
-- Pathway episode information
-
-- Pathway screening record
-
-## Initial approach
+We want you to be able to manage your entire screening journey in one place. That means:
 
-By leveraging business events to drive screening processes MAYS will ensure a more patient-centric screening infrastructure, capable of evolving to meet future needs.
+- Seeing clearly when and how you joined a screening programme
+- Understanding each step along the way
+- Being able to view your past screening appointments and results
 
-In the first instance, we will allow eligible participants within routine breast screening to see:
+Everything in one easy-to-use space
 
-- relevant screening pathway content,
+## Our Starting Point
 
-- episode information: next due date
+We’re beginning with people invited for routine breast screening. In this first version of the service, you’ll be able to:
 
-- screening records for routine screening appointments
+- Learn more about your screening and how it works
+- Check when your next appointment is due
+- View a clear record of your past screening appointments
 
-We will do this using a standalone ‘Manage Your Screening’ website (to enable unauthenticated users to access certain functionality).
+You’ll be able to do this through a new website called Manage Your Screening—even if you’re not logged in or using the NHS App.
 
-We will later integrate with the NHS App as a 3rd party web integration (just like the NBS booking integration used in vaccinations currently).
+In the future, we’ll also bring this service into the NHS App, so you can choose the way that works best for you.

app/posts/manage-your-screening/2025/03/2025-03-26-alpha-prototype.md

@@ -3,4 +3,17 @@ title: Alpha Prototype
 date: 2025-03-26
 ---
 
-https://dtos-participant-manager-proto-305daf691f8b.herokuapp.com/v1
+## Initial scope
+
+Our first alpha prototype will explore an NHS login journey. We’ve designed this for P9 authentication. We want to see that you can:
+
+- log into the service
+- see when you are next due for screening
+- find information about the screening you will take part in
+- see records of your past screening appointments
+
+## Prototype
+
+We have used the NHS.UK prototype kit to design a high-fidelity prototype for this testing round:
+
+[Manage Your Screening prototype](https://dtos-participant-manager-proto-305daf691f8b.herokuapp.com/v1)

app/posts/manage-your-screening/2025/03/2025-03-26-ur-round1.md

@@ -1,27 +1,20 @@
 ---
 title: User Research Round 1
+description: MAYS research round 1
 date: 2025-03-26
 ---
 
-## VSCR context
+## Research focus
 
-The VSCR (Vaccinations, screening, health records) team previously explored the opportunity of a vaccine and screening hub within the NHS App. As part of this work they had designed a prototype, conducted usability testing and ran an A/B test.
+Our goal with this research was to better understand what really matters to people when it comes to managing their screening. We wanted to hear directly from users about what’s working, what’s confusing, and where things could be improved.
 
-Due to technical constraints the prototype was however limited to static content only - a simple summary paragraph describing the screening process and a link out to NHS.uk web pages for more information.
+We focused on finding out why people might use the NHS App or website for screening—and what would make that experience more useful, reassuring, and easy to navigate.
 
-Building on the findings from this work Team MAYS have recognised the importance of personalising the experience so that users can see their records, eligibility and appointment information to empower them.
+## Methodology
 
-## MAYS research round 1:
+Generative interviews: conducted for 1 hour via Microsoft Teams to gain in-depth insights into participants' experiences with breast, bowel, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and cervical screening programmes. The focus was to uncover participants' needs, challenges, and behaviours throughout their screening journey.
 
-Research focus:
-
-These interviews were aimed at uncovering deeper insights into user needs, pain points, and workflows that may not have been fully captured in the previous research.
-
-The primary focus of the research was to understand why users would engage with the NHS app/web interface for screening. Specifically, we explored factors that might deter users from engaging with the platform, which features they find appealing or useful, and how the app’s functionalities align with their needs and expectations. We also sought general feedback on the user experience and users’ impressions of the proposed prototype.
-
-## Methodology:
-
-Generative interviews were conducted for 1 hour via Microsoft Teams to gain in-depth insights into participants' experiences with breast, bowel, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and cervical screening programmes. The focus was to uncover participants' needs, challenges, and behaviours throughout their screening journey.
+Prototype Testing: In the second phase of interviews, we presented a static version of a prototype. Rather than focusing on usability, the goal was to gather users' general thoughts and feedback on the design and features of the prototype.
 
 ### Prototype screens (breast screening example):
 
@@ -35,30 +28,44 @@ Our participants were limited to a small group most of whom had a relatively goo
 
 ## Research findings
 
-Two Distinct User Types:
+### There are two Distinct User Types:
 
 - Information Seekers: Users engage with the app to learn about screenings but don’t manage appointments.
+  “I could see myself looking on the app to see what other types of screening there is. I would find that quite useful to see what's out there.”
 
 - Health Journey Managers: Users actively use the app to manage appointments, track results, and organise their healthcare.
+  " If the NHS App offered screenings in the future, I’d love to use it to manage appointments and check results. I’m used to using the app for other health tasks, so it would be great to have everything in one place.”
 
-Screening Information and Eligibility:
+### Screening Information and Eligibility:
 
 - Users want clear indicators of which screenings they are eligible for based on age and individual circumstances.
-
 - Personalised, age-related messaging is highly valued.
-
 - Some users are concerned about potentially missing screenings they are eligible for.
+  Key quote: “I didn’t realise there was a certain age when I’d be eligible for something like the AAA screening, but on the flip side, I wasn’t aware when I’d exceeded the age limit for others either. A reminder or update would have helped.”(Participant 3)
 
-Results and Records Management:
+### Results and Records Management:
 
 - Users want direct access to screening results within the app, presented in simple, clear language.
-
 - Full screening history should be easily accessible, and guidance is needed for missing or incorrect results.
 
-User Experience and Trust:
+Key quote 1: "It would be so much easier if the app explained results in plain language. A help page with definitions for medical terms would make me feel more confident about understanding everything.” (Participant 5)
 
-- High trust in the NHS App and its information, with users seeking a more integrated, seamless healthcare management experience.
+Key quote 2: "It would be really helpful to get a notification if I miss a screening or if I’ve missed an appointment. I don’t want to fall behind on something important. And if I could easily contact someone to rebook or get more info, that would make the whole process much less stressful.” (Participant 3)
 
-- Some users have accessibility needs, such as larger screens or text options.
+### User Experience and Trust:
 
+- High trust in the NHS App and its information, with users seeking a more integrated, seamless healthcare management experience.
+- Some users have accessibility needs, such as larger screens or text options.
 - Users want clear pathways for resolving errors or issues with their records.
+
+Key quote: "It would help to know what to do if something’s missing, like a screening or results. A clear way to get in touch for support would make it easier to correct any errors.” (Participant 4)
+
+### Conclusion
+
+People use the NHS App in different ways. Some want to explore information and learn more about their screening options. Others use it to actively manage their health—booking appointments, tracking results, and staying organised. The screening service needs to work well for both.
+
+People told us they want clear, personalised information—especially about when they’re eligible, what their results mean, and where to go for help. When the information feels relevant and easy to understand, it builds trust and helps people feel more in control of their screening journey.
+
+Even though this round of research involved a small group, the findings are backed up by previous work. In a recent survey (conducted by VSCR), 76% of people (442 out of 500) said they would find it helpful to have a digital record of their past breast screening appointments and results. This shows a strong need for giving people access to their screening information in one place.
+
+We’ll continue to speak to more people to make sure the service works for everyone. The early results support our original thinking—and the next step, a private beta, will help us learn even more from a broader group.

app/posts/manage-your-screening/2025/03/2025-03-26-vscr-context.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: VSCR Context
+description: Where VSCR vax and screening split off and why
+date: 2025-03-26
+---
+
+## VSCR vaccination and screening split
+
+The Vaccinations, Screening, and Health Records (VSCR) team began by exploring what a joined-up hub for vaccines and screening could look like in the NHS App. They spoke to people to understand what they would expect and need from each part of the service.
+
+Through this research, it became clear that vaccinations and screening are quite different—both in how people experience them and what they need to manage them. Because of that, the decision was made to separate the two and let each area focus on designing the right solution.
+
+That’s how the Manage Your Screening (MAYS) team was created—to take forward everything learned in that early work, and build a service focused entirely on making the screening experience clearer, simpler, and more joined-up for the people who use it.