Why is it important? | Right Decisions

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Tap each title to expand. Work through each section in numerical order

1. Why is it important to improve health literacy?

References 5, 6

The following video explains why health literacy is important (Duration approx. 5min):

2. Health literacy in Scotland

The Scottish Government recognise the need to improve Health Literacy levels in Scotland and have created these Action Plans.

making it easier - a health literacy action plan for Scotland 2017-2025

Find out more about the current

Making it Easier plan ⁸ (2017 - 2025)

3. Health literacy in practice

Health literacy is also embedded in the Chief Medical Officer’s Realising Realistic Medicine annual reports ⁷

People should have the skills to:

Be involved in decision making about their health. This will lead to more personalised care and reduction of variation in procedures and medication waste.
Reducing health inequalities

Realistic Medicine

4. Workbook exercise (1)

Workbook Exercise

Workbook exercise (1)

Think about your own work setting, identify two key groups you work with who may be at risk of low health literacy.

What do you currently do to support them with their health literacy?

Are there any other steps you think you could take?

The remainder of this module will look at tools and techniques you can use to support people with their health literacy.

5. Next - to move forward click the blue arrow (if this is not shown click the + sign to the right)