Welcome to the Right Decision Service (RDS) newsletter for April 2024.
Tactuum has been working hard to address the issues experienced during the last week. They have identified a series of three mitigation measures and put the first of these in place on Friday 3rd May. If this does not resolve the problems, the second mitigation will be actioned, and then the third if necessary.
Please keep a lookout for any slowing down of the system or getting locked out. Please email myself, mbuchner@tactuum.com and onivarova@tactuum.com if you experience any problems, and also please raise an urgent support ticket via the Support Portal.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we achieve a full resolution.
A rotating carousel presenting some of the key RDS tools and capabilities, and an editable slideset, are now available in the Resources for RDS providers section of the Learning and Support toolkit.
The redesign of RDS Search and Browse is still on-track for delivery by mid-June 2024. We then plan to have a 3-week user acceptance testing phase before release to live. All editors and toolkit owners on this mailing list will be invited to participate in the UAT.
The archiving and version control functionality is also progressing well and we will advise on timescales for user acceptance testing shortly.
Tactuum is also progressing with the deep linking to individual toolkits within the mobile RDS app. There are several unknowns around the time and effort required for this work, which will only become clear as the work progresses. So we need to be careful to protect budget for this purpose.
These have all been compiled and effort estimated. Once the redesign work is complete, these will be prioritised in line with the remaining budget. We expect this to take place around late June.
Many thanks to those of you completed the value and impact survey we distributed in February. Here are some key findings from the 65 responses we received.
Figure 1: Impact of RDS on direct delivery of care
Key figures
Figure 2 shows RDS impact to date on delivery of health and care services
Key figures
These data show how RDS is already contributing to NHS reform priorities and supporting delivery of more sustainable care.
Saving time and money
Quality assurance and governance
Service innovation and workforce development
A few examples of toolkits published to live in the last month:
Some of the toolkits the RDS team is currently working on:
Please contact his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot if you would like to learn more about a toolkit. The RDS team will put you in touch with the relevant toolkit lead.
Thanks to all of you who have responded to the retrospective quality audit survey and to the follow up questions. We still have some following up to do, and to work with owners of a further 23 toolkits to complete responses. An interim report is being presented to the HIS Quality and Performance Committee.
Eight clinical services and two public library services are undertaking tests of change to implement the Being a partner in my care app. This app aims to support patients and the public to become active participants in Realistic Medicine. It has a strong focus on personalised, person-centred care and a library of shared decision aids, as well as simple explanations and videoclips to help the public to understand the aims of Realistic Medicine. The tests of change will inform guidance and an implementation model around wider adoption and spread of the app.
With kind regards
Right Decision Service team
Healthcare Improvement Scotland
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For people whose first language is not English, the NHS 24 Language Line 15 
connects the person to an interpreter. This enables the person to explain the problem to NHS 24 in their own language.
– information for the public in 60 languages from the US National Library of Medicine. Resource Library – a collection of health information in different languages. – Health Information in other languages – factsheet for people with dementia and their carers with ways technology can help with everyday living and memory recall. – factsheet showing how technology can support seniors who may be at risk of loneliness and isolation. – information on age related health conditions and staying fit and well. – specialist dementia charity in Scotland. – how to live with and manage arthritis. – a confidential helpline for anyone in Scotland feeling anxious or depressed. – Information about care and care services in Scotland. – information and support for people and their families affected by stroke, chest or heart conditions. – exercise suggestions for older adults to stay healthy and well. – support for people and their families affected by Parkinson’s. – practical tips and advice on how to reduce the risk of falling at home. – specialist dementia charity in Scotland. – supports families living with dementia. – information on age related health conditions and staying fit and well. – AbilityNet's Tech volunteers can provide free IT support to people with cognitive impairment.
– Developed by Great Ormond Street Hospital, Me first is a resource hub with tools to support children’s health and wellbeing, including for example:
– a bank of resources to support with health and wellbeing including information on Coronavirus, mental health, diet and support services. – a collection of short films exploring issues such as mental health, body image and learning differences for example. – an online library of easy read health materials with easy to understand words, pictures and films. – factsheet which explores how technology can support people with learning disabilities. – support for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities including their families, carers and professionals.
Infoforwellbeing