UX Writing for Digital Services - How we write

We write content in plain English and aim for a reading age of 9, so that everyone can understand us.

Content must follow the:

• HSE Digital content design guidance
• Form elements guidance in the HSE design system

Plain English reduces cognitive load. It makes information easier to process and understand. But using plain English does not guarantee that everyone will comprehend what they read. Simple questions can be confusing if they lack sufficient context or use unfamiliar terms.