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Important: please update your RDS app to version 4.7.3 Details with newsletter below.

Please update your RDS app to v4.7.3

We asked you in January to update to v4.7.2.  After the deployment planned for 27th February, this new update will be needed to ensure that you are able to download RDS toolkits even when the RDS website is not available. We will wait until as many users as possible have downloaded the new version before switching off the old system for app downloads and moving entirely to the new approach.

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 update to the latest release:

 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.

Right Decision Service newsletter: February 2025

Welcome to the February 2025 update from the RDS team

1.     Next release of RDS

 

A new release of RDS is planned (subject to outcomes of current testing) for week beginning 24th February. This will deliver:

 

  • Fixes to mitigate the recurring glitches with the RDS admin area and the occasional brief user interface outages which have arisen following implementation of the new distributed technology infrastructure in December 2024.

 

  • Capability to embed content from Google calendar, Google Maps, Daily Motion, Twitter feeds, Microsoft Stream into RDS pages.

 

  • Capability to include simple multiplication in RDS calculators.

 

The release will also incorporate a number of small fixes, including:

  • Exporting of form within Medicines Sick Day Guidance in polypharmacy toolkit
  • Links to redundant content appearing in search in some RDS toolkits
  • Inclusion of accordion headers alongside accordion text in search result snippets.
  • Feedback form on mobile app.
  • Internal links on mobile app version of benzo tapering tool

 

We will let you know when the date and time for the new release are confirmed.

 

2.     New RDS developments

There is now the capability to publish toolkits on the web with left hand side navigation rather than tiles on the homepage. To use this feature, turn on the “Toggle navigation panel” option at the top of the Page settings menu at toolkit homepage level – see below. Please note that publication to downloadable mobile app for this type of navigation is still under development.

The Benzodiazepine tapering tool (https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/benzotapering) is now available as part of the RDS toolkit for the national benzodiazepine prescribing guidance developed by the Scottish Government Effective Prescribing team. The tool uses this national guidance developed with a wide-ranging multidisciplinary group. This should be used in combination with professional judgement and an understanding of the needs of the individual patient.

3.     Archiving and version control and new RDS Search and Browse interface

Due to the intensive work Tactuum has had to undertake on the new technology infrastructure has pushed back the delivery dates again and some new requirements have come out of the recent user acceptance testing. It now looks likely to be an April release for the search and browse interface. The archiving and version control functionality may be released earlier. We’ll keep you posted.

4.     Statistics

At the end of January, Olivia completed the generation of the latest set of usage statistics for all RDS toolkits. If you would like a copy of the stats for your toolkit, please contact Olivia.graham@nhs.scot .

 

5.     Review of content past its review date

We have now generated reports of all RDS toolkit content that has exceeded its review date by 6 months or more. We will be in touch later this month with toolkit owners and editors to agree the plan for updating or withdrawing out of date content.

 

6.     Toolkits in development

Some important toolkits in development by the RDS team include:

  • National CVD prevention pathways – due for release end of March 2025.
  • National respiratory pathways, optimal cancer diagnostic pathways and cancer prehabilitation pathways from the Centre for Sustainable Delivery. We will shortly start work on the national cancer referral pathways, first version due for release via RDS around end of June 2025.
  • HIS Quality of Care Review toolkit – currently in final stages of quality assurance.

 

The RDS team and other information scientists in HIS have also been producing evidence summaries for the Scottish Government Realistic Medicine team, to inform development of national guidance around Procedures of Limited Clinical Value. This guidance will in due course be translated into an RDS toolkit.

 

7. Training sessions for new editors (also serve as refresher sessions for existing editors) will take place on the following dates:

  • Friday 28th February 12-1 pm
  • Tuesday 11th March 4-5 pm

 

To book a place, please contact Olivia.graham@nhs.scot, providing your name, organisation, job role, and level of experience with RDS editing (none, a little, moderate, extensive.)

 

To invite colleagues to sign up to receive this newsletter, please signpost them to the registration form  - also available in End-user and Provider sections of the RDS Learning and Support area.   If you have any questions about the content of this newsletter, please contact his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot  If you would prefer not to receive future newsletters, please email Olivia.graham@nhs.scot and ask to be removed from the circulation list.

With kind regards

 

Right Decision Service team

Healthcare Improvement Scotland

 

 

Support if I am in a crisis

Is your life in danger?

If you have seriously harmed yourself, for example, by taking a drug overdose – or you feel that you may be about to harm yourself:

  • call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E, or
  • ask someone else to call 999 or take you to A&E.

I am struggling with my mental health

If you are in crisis, despairing or suicidal, please:

  • contact your GP, midwife or health visitor
  • contact NHS 24, by phoning 111
  • go to Accident and Emergency at your local hospital
  • call the emergency services on 999.

 

Who can I contact for support?

Suicidal thoughts can happen to any of us, at any time. Often people start noticing these thoughts after a traumatic or stressful event in their life but sometimes there's no obvious trigger.

Whether you've just started to notice them or have had similar thoughts for a long time, help is available from:

  • Samaritans 116 123 – available 24 hours.
  • Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 – Fri–Mon, 6pm–6am; and Mon–Thurs, 6pm–2am.
    • Textphone: 18001 0800 83 85 87, or use the Relay UK app.
  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) 0800 58 58 58 – available 5pm to midnight every day, or visit the webchat page.
  • Switchboard LGBT+
    • For anyone who identifies as LGBT+ 0300 330 0630; open 10am to 10pm every day.
  • Amina Muslim Women's Resource Centre provides support for Muslim, black and minority ethnic women. Helpline: 0808 8010301 - Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.

 

Text lines

If you do not want to talk to someone over the phone, these text lines are open 24 hours a day, every day.

 

Further information

Crisis Plan and Crisis box: How to cope with suicidal thoughts (rethink.org)

I am struggling with my baby or child

Many parents struggle at times.

If you feel your child is at immediate risk of harm, you need to do something about this and speak to someone. You can contact:

Other support is available from:

  • Parentline Scotland, which offers advice and a helpline: 0800 0280 2233
  • Cry-sis, which offers support if you have a crying, sleepless or demanding baby
    • Helpline: 0845 228 669 (9am-10pm, 7 days a week).

I am struggling with my relationship

Relationship difficulties are common around the time of having a baby. Women and birthing parents are at increased risk of domestic violence during this time.

If your life is in immediate danger, call the police on 999. They have a special support for victims of domestic abuse.

Talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor.

Helplines:

  • Scottish Domestic Abuse 0800 027 1234. Open 24 hours a day. The call will not appear on the phone bill. Calls are answered by women with training in all aspects of domestic abuse.
  • Women’s Aid link to local organisations that can help you. They have live chat, email and 1-to-1 support. They have advice about how to cover your tracks online, if needed.
  • Relationship helpline 0808 802 2088. Open Mon–Thurs, 9am–8pm; and Fri, 9am–5pm.