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.
Welcome to the February 2025 update from the RDS team
A new release of RDS is planned (subject to outcomes of current testing) for week beginning 24th February. This will deliver:
The release will also incorporate a number of small fixes, including:
We will let you know when the date and time for the new release are confirmed.
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 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.
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.
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 .
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.
Some important toolkits in development by the RDS team include:
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.
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
This fact sheet provides information on how to treat patients with benign sensory symptoms (normally not requiring a neurological outpatient consultation) in different situations and circumstances.
Please note this fact sheet is only designed as a brief summary of management.
Sensory symptoms are common in the general population and the majority of patients don’t need a neurological consultation to deal with them.
If symptoms come and go, they are likely to be benign.
Paraesthesia (a burning or prickling sensation) due to peripheral neuropathy is usually persistent (although variable) and if related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) tends to worsen over a few days and plateau for several weeks before improving. If related to MS, it will also rarely be in the distributions shown in the diagram and described in the more detailed descriptions below.
In particular, if symptoms are lasting seconds or minutes then you can be generally adopt a ‘wait and see’ policy.
Describes an area of paraesthesia, which is sometimes itchy, in the medial scapula (where you can’t itch). It is benign but annoying and there is no investigation or treatment required.
Intermittent facial numbness is common with migraine, also in hyperventilation (where there may be perioral or tongue numbness).
This is nearly always benign and commonly associated with chronic pelvic pain. Think about cauda equina/neurosurgical referral if there is sphincter dysfunction and/or sciatica or leg weakness.
Often affects whole hand These are common in the population. Advise a wrist splint to be worn at night for 12 weeks in suspected carpal tunnel syndrome. Advise avoiding leaning on elbows, prolonged elbow flexion, especially at night for ulnar nerve symptoms. Patients with sensory symptoms only should usually be managed conservatively.
If sensory disturbance is only in the toes, it is rarely due to a neurological disease. Watch and wait. Similarly, patients with burning sensations in their feet but normal ankle jerks and no clear sensory disturbance rarely require neurological assessment.
Meralgia-lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh This is common especially in the obese population. The patient will characteristically be able to draw an area with their finger around their anterolateral thigh which is numb or paraesthetic. The management is explanation, weight loss where appropriate and avoiding tight clothes around the inguinal region.
Hand symptoms occurring at night or in the morning are usually carpal tunnel or ulnar compression, regardless of the distribution. Tingling or burning in the feet mostly at night is common as part of restless legs syndrome. Meralgia (tingling, burning or numbness) may be worse after driving or with tight clothing.
