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  5. Taking more exercise
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

 

 

Taking more exercise

Being physically active is good for losing weight, preventing diabetes and enabling remission.

All levels of physical activity are helpful - from arm stretches and on-the-spot walking to swimming and running.

This 1-minute video from Diabetes UK illustrates a variety of ways of keeping active at home.

Benefits of exercise

Moving more can: 

  • help you lose weight if you need to, and keep the weight off after you’ve lost it 
  • give you energy and help you sleep 
  • help your joints and flexibility 
  • help your mind as well as your body - exercise releases endorphins, which you could think of as happy hormones. Being active is proven to reduce stress levels and improve low mood.   
  • help the body use insulin better
  • help your blood pressure, which can put you more at risk of diabetes complications
  • help to improve cholesterol (blood fats) to help protect against problems like heart disease  

It’s important to remember that being active is even more beneficial if you’re also making healthier food choices and not smoking.

This video from Diabetes UK demonstrates the benefits of exercise on mood and mental health.

 

Overcoming barriers to exercise 

Diabetes UK provides resources which support overcoming barriers to physical activity - such as emotions, motivation, and health.

What is the best type of exercise for me?

There isn’t one type of activity that’s best for everyone at risk of diabetes - it’s about finding what works for you. This can depend on lots of things, like what you enjoy, where you are and how much time you have. Try to think about how activity can fit in with your life, not the other way around.  

In general, it’s best to try and do a mixture of different types of activity. This is because different types of activity have different benefits, and use different parts of your body.  

If you’re feeling worried, talk to your GP or healthcare team first. 

Keeping active at home 

There are lots of ways to get active at home. For example:

  • on-the-spot walking during TV ad breaks 
  • stretches for your arms and legs whilst sat in a chair 
  • hoovering your home or washing your car 
  • gardening 

Keeping active on the move

A slight change of routine can increase your physical activity levels. This could include: 

  • getting off the bus or tube one stop earlier, or parking further away from your destination 
  • taking the stairs instead of the lift or escalator 
  • cycling 
  • walking

Exercise as a hobby

Some ideas include:  

  • starting yoga or Pilates - you can attend classes or use YouTube workouts 
  • swimming
  • signing up to a new class, such as dance or tai-chi 

Exercise videos and other resources

Diabetes UK provides a Library of exercise videos

Diabetes UK – Diabetes and Exercise

  • Information on the benefits of exercising with diabetes, how to deal with feelings and emotions around exercise, and tips on how to keep active.

My Diabetes My Way - Activity and exercise

  • Suggestions and resources on how to increase physical activity for a wide variety of people and situations.

 

 

Exercise options in the Moray area

NHS Grampian Diabetes: Fitness Tracker Intervention

  • This intervention involves a one-to-one consultation carried out by a Health Psychologist. This usually lasts about 45 minutes, and can be done online through Near Me.
  • During the consultation, you can discuss how much activity you are doing currently, how much activity you would like to do, and what gets in the way of you being more active. This information will then be used to help you set your own realistic goals for increasing your physical activity.
  • You will also be provided with a free Fitness Tracker to monitor your activity, and given the option to keep in touch and attend follow-up appointments
  • To book an appointment contact:

Moray Sports & Leisure

  • Timetables for swimming pools, fitness classes and activities in Moray.

 

Moray Leisure Centre

  • Facilities include a gym, swimming pool, and ice rink. Offers fitness classes and 1-1 personal training.

 

Sport in Moray

  • Information about clubs and activities in Moray.