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.

Heart failure nursing service

Patient information leaflets

NHS Borders

For a copy of this information in:

another language
audiotape
Braille

telephone: 01896 826553

"Information given on this site is not meant to take the place of a talk with your doctor or health worker."

Heart failure is a condition where the heart muscle has weakened. It is then not able to pump blood around the body as efficiently as before.

Symptoms

The symptoms of heart failure include:

breathlessness
swollen feet or ankles
tiredness and exhaustion
wakening at night feeling short of breath
palpitations
They may also include chest discomfort or chest tightness during exertion.

Causes

The most common causes are:

coronary heart disease
heart attack
high blood pressure
valvular heart disease, or
diseases of the heart muscle known as cardiomyopathy

Tests carried out to help diagnose heart failure include:

echocardiogram
blood tests, and
chest x ray

Role of heart failure specialist nurse

to have regular contact with patients to pick up changes in their condition
taking blood and monitoring results
changing and making best use of medicines as needed
educating patients about their condition and how to recognise changes in signs and symptoms
offering a contact telephone number to allow early reporting of changes in signs and symptoms
liaison with GPs, hospital consultants and other health care professionals involved in patient care
try where possible to keep patients out of hospital

Contact details

Heart Failure Nursing Service
Borders General Hospital
Melrose
Monday to Friday

Telephone: 01896 826553 or, 01896 826550 (Both voicemail)
Bleep: (through switchboard BGH 01896 826000 ask for bleep 6553)

Next review date: 30/11/2026

Author(s): Fairbairn T.

Approved By: Clinical Governance & Quality

Reviewer name(s): Fairrbairn T.