Gas hobs polluting indoor air, Which? study finds

  • 22 April 2025

New research by Which? suggests cooking on a gas hob can create more air pollution indoors than levels found on one of the UK’s busiest roads. In order to see how everyday cooking activities affect levels of pollution in the average home, Which? conducted a snapshot investigation which looked specifically at Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and […]

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Scottish Government invest almost £200,000 to support dog control measures

  • 20 April 2025

Funding for new police vans and training for officers and dog wardens has been agreed following a Responsible Dog Ownership Summit hosted by the Scottish Government. Police Scotland has received £166,000 to train officers to identify banned breeds and buy specially-equipped vans to transport dangerous and out of control dogs. The National Dog Warden Association […]

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Public Health Scotland (PHS) – Chair Vacancy

  • 16 April 2025

PHS Chair Vacancy Scottish Ministers want to appoint a Chair to PHS. PHS is Scotland’s lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all Scotland’s people, using the best data, intelligence and research. Expertise in health and/or social care are not an essential criterion, and applications are invited from a wide […]

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We are now on Instagram!

  • 8 April 2025

To mark our 150th anniversary, we have launched a brand-new REHIS Instagram page – a space where we will celebrate history, share key updates, and connect more closely with our community. This new platform is also a step towards enhancing engagement with our REHIS members, offering an accessible way to keep with news from the […]

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Public Health management of Legionnaire’s disease guidance published

  • 4 April 2025

Public Health Scotland (PHS) have published Guidance for the public health management of Legionnaires’ disease. In line with the PHS method to produce health protection guidance, a guidance development group (GDG) consisting of a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders with relevant expertise, has adapted the UKHSA Legionnaires’ disease: guidance, data and analysis (2021), for use in Scotland.  This guidance replaces the 2014 SHPN Guideline on […]

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REHIS News – March 2025

  • 24 March 2025

Back in March 2020, the world faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the many of us stayed at home, our Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) were undertaking a pivotal role in safeguarding public health. We are proud of the next generation of EHOs as they conduct their professional exams in March to achieve the REHIS […]

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Call on Scottish Government to cut air pollution from engine idling

  • 24 March 2025

A coalition of more than twenty organisations and individuals, including councillors, health professionals, teachers, and charities, have joined forces to urge the Scottish Government to better enforce the ban on engine idling. Engine idling, leaving a vehicle’s engine running while stationary, is already prohibited in Scotland because it releases toxic exhaust fumes that are harmful to human […]

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Listeria outbreak in healthcare setting

  • 23 March 2025

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed, along with partner agencies it is investigating five cases of listeria at NHS hospitals and other healthcare settings. UKHSA said the cause of the outbreak was yet to be confirmed but laboratory testing suggested a potential link with a particular dessert. Three of the five people investigated […]

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Netflix launch new drama based on the Corby toxic waste scandal

  • 23 March 2025

A new mini-series based on the Corby scandal in which a negligent council repeatedly exposed residents to toxic waste, is available to watch on Netflix. “Toxic Town” dramatises the events in the Midlands town between the mid 80s and 2010 when a settlement was reached.  The case revolved around the negligence of Corby Borough Council in […]

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Environmental Standards Scotland publish Areas of Research Interest

  • 20 March 2025

Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) has published their Areas of Research Interest document which collates recommendations on research and evidence requirements. The Areas of Research Interest document collates ESS’ recommendations on research and evidence requirements that have been identified through our investigations and analytical work conducted under the eight environmental topic areas identified in ESS’ 2022-2025 […]

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AI could help detect and investigate foodborne illness outbreaks

  • 19 March 2025

UKHSA is exploring artificial intelligence (AI) to detect foodborne illness outbreaks by analysing online restaurant reviews for symptoms and food mentions. In a new study, UKHSA experts have assessed different types of AI for their ability to detect and classify text in online restaurant reviews, which could one day be used to identify and potentially target investigations into […]

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