The Right Decision Service (RDS) plays a crucial role as a care assurance tool across NHS Scotland, and it’s essential for users within NHS Grampian and beyond to stay updated with the latest improvements. This February 2025 newsletter provides vital information regarding a mandatory app update and upcoming enhancements to the RDS platform, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare resources.
Mandatory Update to RDS App v4.7.3 for Uninterrupted Access
Following our previous request in January to update to v4.7.2, a further update to version 4.7.3 is now necessary. Scheduled for deployment after February 27th, this update is critical for maintaining your ability to download RDS toolkits, especially if the main RDS website experiences any temporary unavailability. To ensure everyone benefits from this improved stability, we are allowing time for widespread adoption of the new version before fully transitioning to the updated download system.
To verify your current RDS app version, simply tap the three dots located at the bottom right corner of your app screen. This will navigate you to the “More” page, where your version number is clearly displayed.
Updating to the latest version is straightforward:
For iPhone Users: Open the Apple App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, scroll down to view pending app updates, and update the RDS app.
For Android Users: The process may slightly differ depending on your device. Generally, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, select “Manage apps and device,” locate the RDS app, and update it.
Right Decision Service Newsletter: February 2025 – Key Updates
Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the RDS newsletter from the RDS team. We are committed to continually improving the RDS platform, a valuable care assurance tool for healthcare professionals in NHS Grampian and throughout Scotland.
1. Upcoming RDS Release: Enhanced Stability and New Features
A new RDS release is scheduled for the week commencing February 24th (pending final testing). This release focuses on improving the user experience and expanding the capabilities of RDS, further solidifying its role as a reliable care assurance tool. Key improvements include:
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Stability Enhancements: Addressing and resolving the intermittent glitches in the RDS admin area and brief user interface outages that occurred after the December 2024 infrastructure upgrade. These fixes are crucial for ensuring consistent access to this care assurance tool for users in NHS Grampian and across the nation.
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Embedded Content Integration: Introducing the ability to seamlessly embed content from popular platforms such as Google Calendar, Google Maps, Daily Motion, Twitter feeds, and Microsoft Stream directly into RDS pages. This enhancement provides richer content integration within the RDS platform, making it an even more versatile care assurance tool.
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Calculator Functionality Expansion: Adding support for simple multiplication within RDS calculators, increasing the utility of these embedded tools.
In addition to these major updates, this release includes several minor fixes:
- Resolution of form exporting issues within the Medicines Sick Day Guidance in the polypharmacy toolkit.
- Correction of links to outdated content appearing in RDS toolkit searches.
- Improved search result snippets with the inclusion of accordion headers alongside accordion text.
- Implementation of a feedback form within the mobile app for user input and continuous improvement of this care assurance tool.
- Fixes to internal links within the mobile app version of the benzodiazepine tapering tool.
We will announce the confirmed date and time for this release as soon as it is finalized.
2. Introducing Web Navigation Panel and Benzodiazepine Tapering Tool
RDS is evolving to offer more flexible content presentation. We are pleased to announce the availability of publishing toolkits on the web with a left-hand side navigation panel, offering an alternative to the traditional homepage tiles. To activate this feature, simply enable the “Toggle navigation panel” option located at the top of the Page settings menu at the toolkit homepage level, as shown below. Please note that mobile app compatibility for this navigation style is currently under development.
Furthermore, the Benzodiazepine tapering tool is now integrated into the RDS toolkit. This valuable resource supports the national benzodiazepine prescribing guidance developed by the Scottish Government Effective Prescribing team. This tool, designed with input from a multidisciplinary group, should be used in conjunction with professional clinical judgment and a thorough understanding of individual patient needs, further enhancing care assurance in this critical area.
3. Archiving, Version Control, and New Search Interface Update
The development timeline for archiving and version control functionalities, along with the new RDS Search and Browse interface, has been adjusted due to the extensive work required for the new technology infrastructure and feedback from recent user acceptance testing. The search and browse interface is now anticipated for release in April. However, the archiving and version control features may be released sooner. We will provide updates as soon as more precise dates are available.
4. Usage Statistics Available
The latest RDS toolkit usage statistics, compiled at the end of January by Olivia, are now available. Toolkit owners interested in receiving a copy of their toolkit’s statistics should contact [email protected]. Understanding usage patterns is vital for ensuring RDS remains an effective care assurance tool.
5. Content Review and Updates
Reports identifying RDS toolkit content that is more than 6 months past its review date have been generated. We will be contacting toolkit owners and editors this month to coordinate plans for updating or removing outdated content. Maintaining current and accurate information is paramount to RDS’s effectiveness as a care assurance tool.
6. Toolkits in Development Pipeline
The RDS team is actively developing several important toolkits, further expanding the platform’s capabilities as a care assurance tool:
- National CVD prevention pathways – expected release by the end of March 2025.
- National respiratory pathways, optimal cancer diagnostic pathways, and cancer prehabilitation pathways from the Centre for Sustainable Delivery. Work is commencing on national cancer referral pathways, with the initial version targeted for release via RDS around the end of June 2025.
- HIS Quality of Care Review toolkit – currently undergoing final quality assurance.
Additionally, the RDS team and information scientists at HIS are contributing evidence summaries to the Scottish Government Realistic Medicine team to inform national guidance on Procedures of Limited Clinical Value. This guidance will eventually be translated into an RDS toolkit, further demonstrating RDS’s commitment to care assurance.
7. Training Sessions for RDS Editors
Training sessions for new RDS editors, which also serve as excellent refresher opportunities for existing editors, are scheduled for:
- Friday, February 28th, 12-1 pm
- Tuesday, March 11th, 4-5 pm
To register for a session, please contact [email protected] and provide your name, organization, job role, and RDS editing experience level (none, a little, moderate, extensive).
Please encourage colleagues to subscribe to this newsletter via the registration form, also accessible in the End-user and Provider sections of the RDS Learning and Support area. For any newsletter content inquiries, please contact [email protected]. To unsubscribe from future newsletters, email [email protected].
Kind regards,
Right Decision Service team
Healthcare Improvement Scotland
