Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Uniting Two NHS Trusts Under One Scalable, Accessible WordPress Platform
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Background
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust was formed through the merger of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust — creating an integrated provider of acute, community, and mental health services across Somerset. With the merger came the need for a single, unified digital presence: one that could reflect the values of the new Trust, meet strict NHS digital standards, and serve a wide-ranging audience including patients, clinicians, administrators, and the public.
The Trust required a future-proof digital platform that could consolidate existing content, present services clearly, and offer a seamless user experience across multiple departments and sites. 6B was appointed to design and deliver a bespoke WordPress multisite solution — capable of scaling with the organisation while prioritising accessibility, performance, and editorial control.
The Need
The legacy websites of the two former NHS Trusts were fragmented, inconsistent in structure, and difficult to manage. There was limited flexibility for content teams, and users often faced challenges navigating services or finding key information — particularly across overlapping departments or care pathways.
The new Trust needed more than a simple site refresh. It required a technically robust, modular WordPress platform that could support a wide array of user journeys, accommodate future sub-sites, and remain compliant with NHS brand guidelines and accessibility standards. The platform had to pass rigorous usability and WCAG 2.2 accessibility testing, while also supporting tools such as site-wide search, staff directories, online payments, and document filtering.
Equally important was the need to empower over 50 internal administrators to manage content independently — from clinical updates to recruitment pages — without relying on developers.
The Solution
6B delivered a fully bespoke WordPress multisite platform for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, architected to support the master site and an expanding network of sub-sites. The build was completely custom — avoiding page builders and pre-made templates — and engineered with clean, maintainable code for long-term scalability.
The CMS was structured using Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and custom post types, enabling granular control over reusable content components such as service pages, clinical pathways, news items, and location data. The editorial interface was designed specifically for non-technical users, with flexible content blocks and guardrails to ensure consistency and governance compliance across the platform.
Navigation and UX were core priorities. The homepage features clear signposting for key services, while the advanced search functionality allows users to filter PDFs, content fields, categories, and tags — ensuring patients and staff can quickly access relevant information. The site also integrates third-party tools including Recite Me for accessibility, a Google Maps API for location services, and secure online payment capabilities for course bookings and transactions.
6B managed the full migration of legacy content and user accounts, consolidating thousands of records without data loss or disruption. The launch was supported by a comprehensive training programme, including live Zoom sessions, bespoke video tutorials, and on-demand PDF guides — rolled out to more than 50 staff members, with ongoing training support available through shared resources.
Throughout the process, we engaged with clinicians, administrators, community groups, and patients to ensure the platform reflected the real-world needs of the Trust’s users. Feedback was captured through user testing sessions and surveys, informing both the design and the roadmap for future iterations.
The Impact
The new WordPress platform has provided Somerset NHS Foundation Trust with a unified, scalable digital presence — enabling a smoother transition post-merger and a significantly improved user experience for patients and staff alike.
Service information is now easier to find, update, and manage. Internal teams have the tools they need to keep content accurate and accessible, while site visitors benefit from faster performance, enhanced accessibility, and a simplified path to key services. The multisite structure provides flexibility for future sub-sites as the Trust continues to grow and evolve.
By focusing on custom development, stakeholder engagement, and accessibility from day one, 6B delivered a platform that reflects the professionalism, transparency, and patient-first ethos of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust — setting a strong foundation for future digital transformation in NHS service delivery.
“We have enjoyed working with 6B immensely over the past few years on the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Website. From the initial discovery phase, through to planning and delivery the project has been a huge success and we have continued to work with the team to enhance, maintain and improve the platform through regular discussions and planned maintenance.”
– Natalie Lee, Web and Digital Design Communications Officer, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust