Welcome to the Right Decision Service (RDS) newsletter for September 2024.
This business case has now been endorsed by the HIS Board and will shortly be submitted to Scottish Government.
To balance increasing demand with available capacity and financial resource, the RDS team and Tactuum are now working together to implement closer management of support tickets. As a key part of this, we want to ensure clear, timely and consistent communication with yourselves as requesters.
Editors will now start seeing new messages come through in response to support ticket requests which reflect this tightening up and improvement of our processes.
Key points to note are:
2.1 Issues confirmed by the RDS and Tactuum teams as meeting the critical/urgent and high priority criteria will continue to be prioritised and dealt with immediately.
Critical/urgent issues are defined as:
Example – RDS website outage.
Please remember to email ann.wales3@nhs.scot and his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot with any critical/urgent issues in addition to raising a support ticket.
High priority issues are defined as:
Example – Build to app not working.
2.2 Support requests that are outwith the warranty period of 12 weeks since the software was originally developed will not be automatically addressed by Tactuum. The RDS team will consider these requests for costed development work and will obtain estimate of effort and cost from Tactuum for priority issues.
2.3 Support tickets for technical issues that are not classified as bugs will not be automatically addressed by Tactuum. The definition of a bug is ‘a defect in the software that is at variance with documented user requirements.’ Issues that are not bugs will also be considered for costed development work.
The majority of issues currently in support tickets fall into category 2 or 3 above, or both.
2.4 Non-urgent requests that require a deployment (i.e a new release of RDS) will normally be factored into the next scheduled release (currently end of Nov 2024 and end of Feb 2025) unless by special agreement with the RDS team.
Please note that we plan to move in the new year to a new system whereby requests all come to an RDS support portal in the first instance and are triaged from there to Tactuum when appropriate.
We will be organising a webinar in a few weeks’ time to take you through the details of the current support processes and criteria.
The next scheduled RDS deployment will take place at the end of November 2024. We are reviewing all outstanding support tickets and feature requests along with estimates of effort and cost to determine which items will be included in this deployment.
We will update you on this in the next newsletter and in the planned webinar about support ticket processes.
Many thanks to those of you who attended our recent webinar on the contingency arrangements being put in place to prevent future RDS outages as far as possible and minimise impact if they do occur. Please contact ann.wales3@nhs.scot if you would like a copy of the slides from this session.
The NES clinical knowledge pathway (CKP) publisher is now retired and the majority of pathways supported by this tool have been transferred to the RDS. Examples include:
NHS Lothian musculoskeletal pathways
NHS Fife rehabilitation musculoskeletal pathways
NHS Tayside paediatric pathways
Include:
Focus on frailty (from HIS Frailty improvement programme)
NHS GGC Money advice and support
If you would like to promote one of your new toolkits through this newsletter, please contact ann.wales3@nhs.scot
To go live imminently:
We have recently analysed the results of a survey of users of the Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines toolkit. Key findings from 61 respondents include:
Key strengths identified included:
Users highlighted key areas for improvement in terms of navigation and search functionality. The survey was very valuable in enabling us to uncover the specific issues affecting the user experience. Many of these can be addressed through content management approaches. The issues identified with search results echo other user feedback, and we are costing improvements with a view to implementation in the next RDS deployment.
This decision support software, sponsored by Scottish Government Effective Prescribing and Therapeutics Division, is now available for all primary care clinicians across NHS Tayside. Board-wide implementation is also planned for NHS Lothian, and NHS GGC, NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Dumfries and Galloway have initial pilots in progress. The University of Dundee has been commissioned to evaluate impact of this decision support software on prescribing practice.
Ten bite-size (5 mins or less) video tutorials for RDS editors are now available in the “Resources for providers of RDS tools” section of the RDS. These cover core functionality including Save and preview, content page and media management, password management and much more.
10. Training sessions for new editors (also serve as refresher sessions for existing editors) will take place on the following dates:
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.)
If you have any questions about the content of this newsletter, please contact his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot
With kind regards
Right Decision Service team
Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Money worries can affect everyone at some point in their lives when circumstances change,such as ill health, family job loss, disability, caring responsibilities, relationship breakdown or bereavement.
Having money worries can negatively impact mental health and wellbeing, causing anxiety, stress, depression and/ or feelings of hopelessness. Please visit our Mental Health and Wellbeing
section for sources of support.
NHSGGC provides financial support services for its patient population. These services are also available for staff
The Support and Information Services
(SIS) is available to all NHSGGC staff. It offers a wide range of support and has links to other community-based money advice.
To find out more, click on the links below to download posters and leaflets giving contact details for the Support and Information Service.
These resources can also be printed off and hung in staff areas for easy accessibility.
poster:
Do you need help with money worries? - NHSGGC 
flyer:
The Support and Information Services (SIS) are available for NHSGGC staff, patients, carers and visitors. They offer a wide range of support and have links to other community-based advice organisations, including those for money advice and resolving debt. This makes the SIS the ideal first point of contact for staff needing help and support.
The Support and Information Service (SIS) also provides a range of advice and support for staff who may be struggling during the current cost of living crisis.
We are pleased to confirm that, following an award by the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Healthcare Charity, the SIS will also be able to provide small hardship grants to staff. These will be provided as part of a wider needs assessment, to ensure any member of staff seeking to access the fund is also able to access sustainable, long-term support. The service is entirely confidential and your details will not be shared with anyone.
To access our hardship support:
. If we are closed, please leave a message & we will get back to you.
Visit the webpage for locations, opening times and local phone number, or email: sis@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
NHS Inform Scotland’s Service Directory contains details of money advice services across Scotland, this may be of particular use for staff who live outwith Greater Glasgow and Clyde:
Debt Navigator provides information and advice on how to deal with debts including- energy debts; mortgage, rent and council tax arrears; loans, credit cards and overdrafts; car finance and care costs. The website includes a web chat function.
A change in your circumstances, such as changes to your health, relationships, pregnancy or unexpected expenses can change what social security benefits and grants you may entitled to access. This section aims to assist those who may not be in receipt of all of the benefits or financial supports they may be legally entitled to.
Information on benefits and grants can be found here:
Information on local, free confidential money advice services in your area can be found via:
NHS Inform Scotland's Social Services Directory
Or:
Support and information centres
Information on benefits including Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Carer Support Payment, Child Benefit and others:
Information on benefits including Best Start Grants, Scottish Child Payment, Child Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment, Funeral Support Payment and others:
The Scottish Welfare Fund helps families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes.
You must be 16 or older and on a low income, or getting certain benefits, to apply for grants available.
Home Energy Scotland is pleased to be working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to offer you support with free and impartial energy advice and support.
They cover everything from simple energy saving tips in the home to transport and active travel advice. Home Energy Scotland’s friendly advisors offer vital support to colleagues across NHSGGC.
Home Energy Scotland is a network of local advice centres covering all of Scotland. Our expert advisors offer free, impartial advice on saving energy, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, greener travel and cutting water waste. We’re funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, and our mission is to help people in Scotland create warmer homes, reduce their bills and help tackle climate change.
Recent research by Home Energy Scotland* has revealed that 70% of people in Scotland feel concerned about energy bills rising, with almost two thirds using more energy than usual during the first 12 months of the pandemic. The research also found that 59% of Scots have noticed a worrying rise in their energy bills already.
Simple steps like changing your thermostat settings in the warmer months, regularly switching your energy supplier or changing the way you pay can all make positive changes to the amount you spend on keeping you warm and well at home.
Home Energy Scotland’s friendly advisors can help you make the best use of your energy, so your home is warmer and your bills are as low as possible.
Find out if you could be eligible for home energy efficiency improvement worth, on average, £5000. Available to home owners and private tenants, Warmer Homes Scotland could see energy efficient home improvements – like insulation or a new heating system – installed in your home at no cost to you.
We can help you make changes that make a big difference to the planet – and your purse. From heating your home using renewable technology to choosing greener ways to travel, our specialists will help you make the right choice for your lifestyle. Take a look at our webinar programme to learn more.
There’s lots of support out there to help you make greener changes and reduce your energy use. We’re even offering free ebike trails to GP surgeries.
If you’re worried about your energy bills, call Home Energy Scotland free of charge on 0808 808 2282 – quoting NHSGGC
You can also contact our Advice Team by email at adviceteam@sc.homeenergyscotland.org– quoting NHSGGC
* Energy Saving Trust, “Climate Change Research” April 2021
With the weather changing, the cost of energy might be on your mind at the moment. The new ‘Home Energy E-Learning’ module could be a perfect way to help you keep cosy this winter and save money on your bills.
The module will help you save energy at home to reduce your bills and tackle the climate emergency. It is brought to you by the team at Home Energy Scotland and is available through LearnPro under the CPD Category under show all learning and is called ‘Home Energy E-Learning’. You can also search using the search box and type in Home Energy to find the module. To add this to your learning, please click add and confirm. You can then click select to view the module.
The module will take you on a virtual tour of a typical home, identifying energy saving hotspots and help you discover how much money and energy you could save by making simple changes. You’ll get a personalised action plan to download and take away, with tips and details of funding and support to make energy saving home improvements.
Bloomberg UK have created a helpful - graphic to show the cost of running different household appliances according to the energy cap scheduled for October 2022.
Budgeting for winter's energy bills - Estimated single use costs for appliances October 2022 - Jan 2023
A carer is a person who provides or intends to provide unpaid, practical, physical and emotional support to relatives, friends or neighbours due to physical or mental illness, addiction, frailty or disability. This includes young people and parents. They do not need to live with the person to be their carer.
If this is you, you are not alone. There is help and support available for you and the person you look after.
Many unions offer support to their members who are suffering financial hardship. Check with your union for details.
If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants.
If you are a Unison member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants.
Like all credit unions, the NHS Credit Union is a financial co-operative, owned and controlled by its members.
We help care for the financial health of members across Scotland and the North of England and our membership is growing at record rates. Almost 20,000 NHS workers are currently enjoying the benefits of being an NHS Credit Union member.
Our mission is to promote financial well-being and a savings culture in the NHS industry alongside reducing financial stress in staff and providing ethical financial assistance to those who need it.
For access to savings products and loans, paid directly from your salary the NHS Credit Union is easy to join. It can help you to budget your money or to save for holidays, unexpected spends or even your professional registration fees.
YouTube video Rosie's story
:
Safe Harbour is confidential service open to all members, that aims to help those who may be experiencing economic abuse to take back control of their money.
The service is currently running a simple three questions survey to find out about member awareness of the service and to inform future developments.
A wide range of services are available to NHSGGC staff.
NHS Staff Benefits offers discounts and special offers on many products and services from holidays and eating out, to gym membership. Log in to find out further details:
Qualified advisers can help you find the right mortgage, matching your circumstances and requirements to the right product.
You can arrange an appointment by calling 0141 213 8353
Through NHS Staff Benefits, staff can access support in planning for their retirement or if they have been affected by recent pension changes.
Some stores offer membership to certain groups of workers, including NHS staff, giving access to discounted goods.
The Company Shop
offers discounts to NHS staff, and also reduces waste by redistributing surplus food and household products from some of the biggest UK retailers.
Did you know that you can claim tax relief on the cost of laundering your uniform? This includes nursing and allied health professionals and also domestic, catering and portering staff.
You can also claim tax relief on registration fees that you are required to pay to your professional body. It is easy to do and you may also get a backdated sum. To check your eligibility and then apply visit:
Are you interested in learning more about easy retirement planning or how to understand mortgages better. Do you need support on how to manage your money better or maybe you feel you need a midlife MOT on wealth, work & wellbeing? Then these Open University courses may be for you.
They are free & range from as little as 2 hours study upwards depending on the course you choose.
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.
For more information about how you can receive help with childcare costs have a look on the Childcare Choices website.
Problem gambling is defined as gambling that is disruptive or damaging to you or your family, or interferes with your daily life. Most people in the UK gambled or played the lottery in the last year and with the rise in the number of online internet gambling sites and mobile apps has made gambling more easily and readily accessible – activities like playing the lottery once or twice a week aren’t harmful however, for around 9 in 1000 people, gambling becomes a problem or an addiction.
Problem gambling can strain relationships, impact on work and have serious financial consequences. There is a risk that escalation of the problem could lead to harmful behaviours like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.
For information on problem gambling and the signs of problem gambling visit:
There is a dedicated specialist resource via Occupational Health via an addiction’s nurse who can be accessed via self-referral on 0141 201 0600
. Further information can be found via:
Alternatively your manager may refer you via this link: https://nhsggc.opasg2.com/login/form Further information about this can be found here: Management Referrals – NHSGGC
Gamblers Anonymous Scotland has meetings every day, and is free to attend. The meetings are informal and friendly, and there are currently around 70 meetings held in Scotland every day. Gamblers Anonymous also has a 24-hour helpline you can phone on 0370 050 8881
.
A member of Gamblers Anonymous will answer your call – someone who fully understands the problem of compulsive gambling. Please note that this is NOT a crisis hotline. If you are in crisis or suicidal call 999.
If you have a loved one with a gambling problem, support is available from Gam-Anon Scotland. The organisation has supportive, confidential meetings that are separate from Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Call the Gam-Anon 24-hour helpline on 0370 050 8881
If you’re struggling with the impact gambling is having on your life, or the life of a loved one, phone Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 for support and counselling. Breathing Space is open:
· Weekdays: Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am
· Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am
Public Health Scotland’s Virtual Learning Environment [VLE] has developed 6 modules aimed at those working in front line public services, with some sections dedicated to those in a management role. Please see list below
· Understanding Poverty
· Understanding Poverty, Stigma and Discrimination
· Poverty Sensitive Practice
· My Role in Service Planning and Design
· My Role in Organisational Policy
· My Role as a Line Manager
The module objectives are;
To access these modules please visit the VLE using this link Course: Challenging poverty stigma and discrimination (publichealthscotland.scot)
You will be required to enrol to access these modules
Please familiarise yourself with the Challenging Poverty Stigma Hub by watching this short VT. To access, click on the screen below:
(For more information on how to apply for a grant) (National Wellbeing Hub) (National Wellbeing Hub) (CIPD) (Download the pdf:Help with Bills Scotland)
Find out more at 'All about money - information for managers'
