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
A person's weight is determined by many things. These include their genes, dieting history, medication, and many other things that happen during their life. A healthy weight is the stable weight you achieve when you adopt healthy behaviours. These might be:
Many people spend a lot of time, effort and money on trying to lose weight. Rather than 'dieting' think about the changes that you can make, and sustain, and notice how it makes you feel. Some of the options might be:
Often the missing ingredient in active living is fun. What activity do you feel better in yourself for doing? Do you want time alone or as part of a group? What makes activity fun for you? Could pain management techniques help?
Visit 'Keeping Active' on NHS Inform.
You can find support to manage your weight in:
Argyll and Bute – you can refer yourself to the Nutrition and Dietetic service. You will be contacted and directed to the most appropriate advice and support: Voicemail - 01631 789 041 Email - NHS Highland Dietitians Direct.
Highland – you can join a local Well Now course. These courses promote a way of life that focuses on intuitive eating and enjoyable physical activity rather than dieting and weight loss. We recognise that diets can be frustrating and often don't work. The My well-being and meleaflet explains more.
Parents/Carers - We also offer Well Now courses to parents/carers, because as the main care giver you are in a key role to influence your child's behaviours and attitudes. For more information on infants and toddlers please visit the Bumps to Bairns website and for school aged children please visit the High 5 website.
Courses are run from different locations and times throughout the Highlands but are generally 6-8 weekly sessions for groups up to 16 participants. Updated course information can be accessed here:
It can be very difficult to live with long term stress. The common reasons that cause people stress are money, housing, relationships and mental health. Here are some ideas for support.
Worried about heating your home?
Contact: Home Energy Scotland for free friendly advice.
Free phone: 0808 808 2282 or visit
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/home-energy-scotland
Feeling low or anxious?
For free confidential help and support contact:
Breathing Space, who are there to listen.
Free phone: 0800 83 85 87 or visit http://breathingspace.scot/
Do you need help with money?
For free confidential contact: Citizens Advice Direct.
Free phone from landlines (and most but not all mobiles, check with your provider):
0808 800 9060 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/
Concerned about feeding yourself and your family?
Food banks are a charitable system that provides emergency food supplies:
North Highland, Tel: 01349 830 777 Email: info@blythswood.org
Argyll and Bute, Tel: 01631 565 730 Email: Hopkitchen@gmail.com
Thinking of giving up smoking?
Visit the Smoke-Free Highland website: www.smokefreehighland.co.ukfor information about our E-cigarette friendly service.
Or call Smoke-Free Service: 0845 757 3077
TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland