Author: Peacock Carter

The Scottish Government COVID-19 sector guidance for tourism and hospitality has now been updated with the addition of Frequently Asked Questions.

The questions and answers are aimed at providing further clarity to hospitality businesses following publication of Scottish Government sectoral guidance, and subsequent statutory guidance including additional measures for the hospitality sector. 

It is not separate to government guidance but designed to complement it and further the understanding of what businesses need to consider and do, to ensure they are operating safely and within the legal requirements.

The questions and answers have been prepared through cooperation between Environmental Health Officers and industry. 

It will be updated as more information becomes available.

Current restrictions due to Covid-19 mean that face to face training courses, meetings and events are not currently being held but this does not prevent the achievement of CPD. 

Many professionals will have been on a steep learning curve this year, with the introduction of Covid-19 related legislation and a need to understand the appropriate risks and controls.  

Continuing Professional Development includes various means of learning and development and can be online learning, ‘on the job’ learning, attendance at virtual events/meetings, researching a particular piece of work or reading appropriate journals/reports. A certificate of attendance is one method of evidencing CPD, but needn't be the only format and, for example, if you read relevant journals, investigate a particular topic, complete a short course, the evidence for this could be writing a few sentences about what you learned.

There are various on line learning opportunities, including through events advertised on the REHIS website, by accessing ‘events’ on the home page and ‘other agency events’ when there are no suitable REHIS events; through the Open University OpenLearn where there are numerous free courses; through Food Standards Scotland online allergy course; or learn about the international perspective and many Universities offer free short courses, and if you are able to pay, then individual modules are often available for enrolment.

If you are registered for access to the member’s only section of the website, CPD summary records can be maintained ‘as you go’ so when it comes to the end of the year, it simply needs to be printed, signed and evidence attached.

If there are any queries on CPD submissions or Chartered EHO status, or members wish to register for the members only section of the website, please email contact@.

REHIS partner, ASH Scotland, along with another nine of Scotland’s biggest health charities, is launching a manifesto highlighting the need for action on the prevention of Non Communicable Disease (NCD) (such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and lung disease).  

The report looks at the impact of tobacco, obesity and alcohol on the health of Scotland and proposes a focus on taking action at a population-level to further drive down the impact these risk factors are having on Scotland’s health, particularly in its most deprived communities.

Ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliament elections, the charities are calling on all of Scotland’s political parties to commit to bold action to prevent NCD’s.

You can read the manifesto here.

Louise Cunningham, Team Manager – Environmental Protection, Aberdeenshire Council and Senior Vice-President for the REHIS Council.  Louise's contribution discusses how the pandemic has raised the profile of the Environmental Health profession and how positive changes can be made from the digital transformation for working. 

1.         Describe your work before the pandemic? 

Prior to the pandemic I was Team Manager for South Aberdeenshire and lead for Environmental Protection within Aberdeenshire Council and Senior Vice President at REHIS. 

I would travel regularly to Edinburgh to chair the REHIS Management Committee,  and to attend council and other committee meetings. 

2.         What have you been doing since the pandemic started? 

Since the pandemic started, all staff shifted to working from home automatically. We are very fortunate in Aberdeenshire that we were already well equipped with the IT and systems that support home working. We recognised quite early on that our current geographical set up didn’t suit the challenges being faced by the Service whilst we were based at home. The Service therefore transformed from having generalist officers to three specialist workstreams – Covid, Food and Environmental Protection, in addition to assisting with contact tracing for a couple of months over the Summer. 

I’ve led the Environmental Protection team, overseeing the day job and normal demands expected by the Service. I have also assisted with a number of webinars that we hosted to assist our hospitality premises keep abreast with the number of changes to guidance and legislation, these have since been uploaded to YouTube, another first for our Service! 

3.         What are/were the challenges? 

The challenges remain significant, personally the first couple of months of the pandemic were the most surreal, not only was the work something I had never imagined, I had to postpone my wedding with 12 weeks’ notice and become accustomed to Zoom to catch up with family who live in the central belt. 

Engaging with my team has also been a challenge, as we are a sociable bunch and having to rely on technology for this has been difficult. I know they are missing Friday scones!

Looking forward, the uncertainty remains the biggest challenge for everyone, both professionally and personally, wondering when this becomes the ‘new normal’. However, with challenge, comes opportunity. There has never been a more opportunistic time for the profession to demonstrate the skills and professionalism at the core of the front-line response to protecting the public health of Scotland, and I couldn’t be prouder for the way the profession has stepped up to the challenges, liaising with Scottish Government, NHS, colleagues in local authority and the business community. 

4.         Do you think any of these changes will last beyond the pandemic period? 

I do hope that the digital transformation within REHIS, since the start of the pandemic, is taken forward as an opportunity for the Institute. Not only has it significantly reduced our spending on travel and had a positive impact on climate change, it has been proven to support the effective operation of the Institute, whilst also being more accessible to those living and working in various geographical locations. 

I don’t necessarily see a return to working from offices being the default work format, and I must say I think professionally, we have worked well from home. There is an additional level of flexibility and enhanced work life balance, where the discipline is there to maximise this. 

One in eight deaths in Europe are linked to pollution, according to a new report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). 

The report ‘Healthy environment, healthy lives: how the environment influences health and well-being in Europe said factors such as air and noise pollution, as well as poor water quality and exposure to chemicals, contributed to 13% of all deaths.

The report, which draws extensively on data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), highlights how the quality of Europe’s environment plays a key role in determining our health and wellbeing. 

It found that air pollution is one of Europe’s top environmental threats to health, with more than 400,000 premature deaths driven by air pollution every single year. Noise pollution comes second, contributing to 12 000 premature deaths, followed by the impacts of climate change, notably heatwaves.

The burden of pollution and climate change varies across Europe, with 27% of national deaths attributable to the environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, compared to 9% in Iceland and Norway.

Socially deprived communities are more likely to be exposed to higher levels of pollution, and therefore struggle under a triple burden of poverty, poor quality environments and ill health. 

The report has also highlighted that although the evidence is not yet conclusive, early research has suggested that air pollution and poverty may be linked to higher death rates from COVID-19. 

It also stresses that an integrated approach to environment and health policies is essential in order to tackle environmental health risks and protect the most vulnerable.

Protecting nature is key in the delivery of public health benefits, reducing disease and fostering good health and well-being.

The First Minister (FM) has announced further coronavirus measures and also additional resources for additional Environmental Health Officers at her coronavirus (COVID-19) update speech on 22 September 2020.

The FM stated that the Scottish Government will be providing resources for additional Environmental Health Officers in order for local authorities to significantly step up inspection and enforcement in the hospitality trade to ensure compliance with rules in the sector.

Further measures to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19 were also announced by the First Minister as Scotland faces an upsurge in cases.

The new restrictions focus on no household visits and a 10pm closing time for all hospitality settings.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that this action is necessary in order to prevent a resurgence in community transmission of the virus and the potential for a rapid return to the pressures the NHS experienced earlier in the year.

Measures include:

Inside people’s homes 

• Do not meet people from any other households in your home or another person’s home socially, unless they are in your extended household
• These rules also apply to children
• Children whose parents do not live in the same household can move between homes, as can non-cohabiting couples
• Very limited exemptions apply for childcare, and for tradespeople

Private gardens or public outdoors spaces

• A maximum of six people from two households can meet in outdoor spaces
• You should limit as far as possible the total number of households you meet in a day
• Under-12s do not count towards the maximum number of households or number of people who can meet outdoors. Under-12s do not have to physically distance
• A maximum of six 12 to 17 year olds can meet in outdoor spaces, with no household limit. Physical distancing is still required

Indoors in public spaces 

• A maximum of six people from two households can meet in public indoor spaces such as cafes, pubs and restaurants
• Children under 12 from those two households do not count towards the limits
• From 00:01 Friday 25 September, pubs, restaurants and all hospitality settings will be required to close at 10pm
• Table service will continue to be required in all hospitality premises

Car sharing

• You should only car share with members of your own, or extended, household, and follow guidance when there is no alternative

Working

• You must continue to work from home where practicable

These restrictions will be reviewed within three weeks and further guidance will made available where necessary.

The First Minister said:

“It is worth stressing that because of the collective sacrifices we all made to drive infection levels down over the summer, the growth in cases is from a low base and – at this stage – far less rapid than in March. I want to thank the people of Scotland for their cooperation, forbearance and the sacrifices they have made – but these measures are essential in ensuring we do not let this virus get out of control again.

“While these measures are tough, we believe they can make a significant difference while keeping our schools, public services and as many businesses open as far as possible.

“Early data suggests that restrictions currently in place in west central Scotland are starting to slow the increase of cases. So by extending household restrictions nationwide now, in an early and preventative way, we hope it will help to bring the R number down and the virus back under control.

On hospitality measures, the First Minister said:

“I want to thank those businesses that are making huge efforts to ensure compliance. However, I want to be clear with the hospitality trade about this. Notwithstanding the economic implications, further restrictions – including possible closure – will be unavoidable if the rules within pubs and restaurants on hygiene, face coverings, maximum numbers in groups, and the distance between them are not fully complied with.”

Clean Air Day is the UK's largest air pollution campaign, engaging thousands of people at hundreds of events, and reaching millions more through the media. The campaign normally takes place on the third Thursday in June. 

However, due to COVID-19, this year Clean Air Day is taking place on 8 October 2020, will be rolled out slightly differently and has been updated so more of the campaign is virtual.

Clean Air Day Scotland is brought to you by Global Action Plan working in partnership with Environmental Protection Scotland, bringing together communities, businesses, schools and the health sector to:

• Improve public understanding of air pollution.
• Build awareness of how air pollution affects our health.
• Explain the easy actions we can all do to tackle air pollution, helping to protect the environment and our health.

To celebrate Clean Air Day Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS) are hosting the first in a series of three webinars exploring the concept of Place, find out more here.

Find out more about Clean Air Day Scotland and how to celebrate it here. 

Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.  The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues. 

World Environmental Health Day was launched by the IFEH Council at its meeting in Indonesia on the 26 September 2011. Every year since 2011 this date has been earmarked to celebrate as World Environmental Health Day with a particular theme, celebrating an environmental health issue Worldwide. 

The 2020 theme is “Environmental Health, a key public health intervention in disease pandemic prevention”, which aims to demonstrate how those working in the field of environmental health are playing a vital role in response to the outbreak of disease pandemics all over the world. Environmental Health professionals worldwide play a role in disaster preparedness and response, investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases and prevent it from spreading any further.

On 26 September, REHIS will be marking World Environmental Health Day by raising awareness of the role of the Environmental Health Officer by promoting a series of articles titled ‘COVID DIARIES’ where various members of the Institute and those leading in the field of public health answer questions based on work being carried out during the pandemic. 

These will be on the website and through our Twitter page @rehisscotland. Follow us and help celebrate World Environmental Health Day!

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland welcomes the First Minister’s statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon on further measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s decision to commit resources to Scottish local authorities for additional Environmental Health Officers, in order that local authorities significantly step up inspection and enforcement, to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Scotland is especially welcome.

The pandemic has certainly raised the profile of Environmental Health and never has there been a better time to attract, educate, and train more people for the profession than there is today.

Environmental Health Officers in Scotland have prepared a supplementary questions and answers document for hospitality businesses to provide further clarification of the Scottish Government sectoral guidance for COVID-19. They have been prepared in cooperation with industry and the Scottish Government.

The document is not separate to government guidance but designed to complement it and further the understanding of what businesses need to consider and do to ensure they are operating safely and within the legal requirements.

As we move through Scotland’s route-map, guidance is being regularly reviewed and updated. It remains a gradual process and while the hospitality sector has made significant progress to date with reopening outdoor and indoor areas, and with reduced physical distancing to one metre, it's not yet business as usual.

A high level of caution and awareness is essential in order to avoid any set-backs. The Scottish Government does not want to keep restrictions in place a moment longer than is necessary, but safety must come first. Businesses are therefore requested to maintain the excellent work that has been undertaken so far and to continue working with authorities to build on that progress. 

The document will be updated as more information becomes available. 

REHIS partner, ASH Scotland, along with another nine of Scotland’s biggest health charities are launching a manifesto highlighting the need for action on the prevention of Non Communicable Disease.

The report looks at the impact of tobacco, obesity and alcohol on the health of Scotland and proposes a focus on taking action at a population-level to further drive down the impact these risk factors are having on Scotland’s health, particularly in its most deprived communities.

Ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliament elections, the charities are calling on all of Scotland’s political parties to commit to bold action to prevent NCD’s.

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) for Scotland’s latest annual report for public and private water supplieshave been published.

The annual report for public water supplies shows that Scottish Water’s compliance with the stringent standards for drinking water remains high at 99.92%. However, the annual report for private water supplies show a significant number do not meet the required drinking water standards. 

The Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 requires DWQR to publish an annual report describing the Regulator’s activities during the preceding year. This report summarises data on water quality in public and private supplies across Scotland, as well as covering water quality events and incidents, consumer contacts to Scottish Water and DWQR activities throughout the year

The public water supplies report, covering Drinking Water Quality in Scotland during 2019, states that a total of 310,605 regulatory tests were carried out on Scotland’s drinking water last year.

Scottish Water take and analyse samples of drinking water from treatment works, storage points and customers taps throughout the year. Of those taken from samples at consumers’ taps, 99.92% met the required standards, a slight improvement on last year and consistent with previous years.

For regulated private water supplies a total of 48,384 tests were taken in 2019, which are those supplying more than 50 people or a commercial activity. 

89.8 per cent of tests met the required standard, but 14.5% of these supplies had a sample that contained E.coli, which indicates faecal contamination and potentially causes serious illness. Compliance figures have not improved in recent years, and the 2019 results actually represent a deterioration on 2018 for many types of test. In 2018, 11% of samples contained E.coli.

Private water supplies are those owned and managed by individuals rather than Scottish Water and around 3.3 per cent of the Scottish population receive their water from them. The supplies range from those serving a single house to much larger numbers of houses as well as hotels, tourist accommodation and other businesses. Many of the very small types of supplies have little or no treatment and where water from these supplies does not meet the standards, there may be a risk to the health of those drinking from them.

According to the latest report from Scotland’s Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR), a significant number do not meet the required drinking water standards and almost certainly represent a risk to health.