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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

 

 

Using screen readers with Right Decision Service websites and mobile apps

Screen readers and related assistive technologies are used by some people with visual impairments to access information on the Internet. This brief guide outlines what they are, how they support people with visual impairments and how to access them on laptops, desktops and mobile phones or in the case of other associated assistive technologies where to find more information from providers.

This brief information guide is intended to provide information to health and care professionals as well as patients or members of the public using RDS web and mobile apps who may or may not have sight loss.

The list of external providers is not exhaustive and should be used for reference only, their inclusion is not necessarily an endorsement of their product for any individuals use, that depends on advice from support professionals and personal preference.

 

What are screen readers, and how do they work?

Screen readers are a useful aid for people with visual impairment. They are part of a range of tools available, others being magnifiers, colour filters and display options.

Screen readers work by converting text (and images) displayed on the screen into spoken word that can be varied in speed or language by adjusting the settings of the selected screen reader. These are built into most recent operating systems for desktops, laptops and mobile phones as standard. For instance, computers running Windows 10 and above get the benefit of the in-built screen reader software Narrator.  Most modern Android and Apple mobile phones and tablets will also have in-built screen reader software.

Some screen readers are used in conjunction with Braille typepads. Live Text on iPhones, Live Transcribe on android and Google Lens allow for text when selecting a photograph or image to be readable by devices also.

Braille-inclusive typepads include keyboards with large lettering and Braille, or Braille overlays for keyboards, etc. Braille-display keyboards are another aid, these are connected to a laptop or computer and available via a range of suppliers such as the RNIB, VisionAid, and Humanware as examples.

 

How does the Right Decision Service support people with visual impairment and use of screen readers?

The Right Decision Service technology platform is built in line with international accessibility standards (WCAG AA) which ensure support for screen readers.  In addition, the content managers and editors who upload content to the Right Decision Service are required to adhere to a standard operating procedure which sets out key legislative requirements for accessibility of content on public sector websites and mobile resources. 

 

Laptops and desktops (Windows 10 and above)

  • To set up a screen reader from a laptop or desktop running Windows 10 or above:
  • Go to the Start button of your laptop (the icon at the bottom left of your screen), scroll down and choose Settings. Scroll down to Narrator, Narrator can be toggled on or off, and start-up options can be selected for ease of use from this screen also.

  • Or, type accessibility into the laptop or computer search function (bottom left of the screen once you press the magnifying glass image, it is usually next to the start icon).

 

Mobile phones and tablets

Mobile phones also have screen readers – the general advice is to go to accessibility in settings just as for laptops and computers to find them (TalkBack on Android and VoiceOver on iPhone), or choose from one of many within the app store on the phone.

Some people with limited hand mobility may find using screen readers problematic when they require the use of multiple fingers at any one time. This can be often overcome with Read-aloud options, font size in certain circumstances and magnifier options once they are set up on laptops or mobile phones as outlined above. Use of other adaptive aids such as keyboard or mouse alternatives or adaptations can be found on websites such as  AbilityNet, Inclusive Technology, Focus on Disability, or Better Living Through Technology.

 

More information

The RNIB have a range of guides and help available, for example:

https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/assistive-aids-and-technology/phones-and-tablets/

https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/assistive-aids-and-technology/computers/

https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/assistive-aids-and-technology/computers/screen-reading-software/

the RNIB can offer support and advice on living with sight loss

 https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/