Author: Peacock Carter

Soccer players who constantly spit show a bad example to youngsters and are a risk to health, according to the Keep Britain Tidy group. They claim that as well as being unsightly, it leads to an increased risk of spreading diseases. John Stirling, REHIS President said ‘Firstly, it’s unpleasant and secondly, there is a risk of transmission of some diseases, such as tuberculosis.’ He went on to mention, during an interview with BBC Scotland radio programme that the tradition of Edinburgh citizens paying their disrespects by spitting on the Heart of Midlothian (the former site of the city Tolbooth) could be criticised.

In the first scheme of its kind in Scotland, a wide range of food providers – such as schools, residential homes and community centres – will be taught at REHIS food-safety training centres around Scotland, how to improve the nutritional value of meals. The course has been devised in conjunction with NHS Health Scotland, The Scottish Executive, Food Standards Agency Scotland, the Scottish Community Diet Project and the Scottish Healthy Choices Award Scheme.

A major awareness campaign tackling anti-social noise pollution in Glasgow has being launched by Glasgow City Council. The “Anti social noise pollution – noise, nuisance or nightmare” message is being delivered via a £125,000 advertising campaign. “Anti social noise pollution – noise, nuisance or nightmare” is being used throughout the campaign and illustrates the various noise nuisances from barking dogs, playing loud music, shouting and drilling.

Outgoing President Keith McNamara highlights the shortage of environmental health officers in Scotland, with new figures published by SoCOEHS (the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland). See press release (10 November 2005)

The latest figures for households which do not enjoy a public mains supply of water show that up to 95000 people in Scotland are still at risk, with up to 40% of those supplies failing to meet the required standards.

In the debate about standards of diet among Scottish children, the Institute has highlighted the Food and Health course, which gives advice on providing healthy meals and snacks on a budget.

The newly-formed group of environmental health volunteers is due to meet in Edinburgh next week, courtesy of REHIS. EHiDE (Environmental Health in Disasters and Emergencies) was set up in response to recent large-scale natural disasters. There have already been calls for potential volunteers and meetings have been held in Dublin, London and Wigan. This is the first meeting of its kind in Scotland and the intention is to give the attendees a flavour of what they might be letting themselves in for in the event of an emergency.

In the newly-published annual report from the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Harry Burns highlights research that shows that environmental incivilities, such as litter, grafitti and dog fouling have a negative impact on human well-being, particulaly in lower socio-economic groups. The effect leads to greater stress than is felt in less deprived areas. The report raises ‘intriguing possibilites’ of meeting the challenge of improving health and well-being. Read full report here

Health Minister Andy Kerr has pledged £2.5 million towards a campaign on handwashing Mr Kerr said: “Hands can carry a range of bugs, including healthcare associated infections like MRSA, illness such as food poisoning and viruses like flu. Washing hands regularly and thoroughly will dramatically reduce the spread of these bugs. The announcement was made as part of this year’s Infection Control Awareness Week. As well as NHS professionals, the minister gave a reminder that the public has a key role to play in helping reduce the spread of infection. The campaign will be launched early in 2007 and will be mainly targeted at Hospital Acquired Infections.

The 18-24 age group of the working population is more at risk of suffering accidents in the workplace than any other. In an attempt to help employers tackle these statistics, REHIS has devised an Introductory Course aimed at young people starting work. Details of the course were revealed at the REHIS Conference in Glasgow by Graham Walker, Director of Training.

The event will celebrate and reflect on the implementation of the Scottish Diet Action Plan (SDAP) since 1996, as identified in the SDAP Review report. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to consider the key contributors to success in their own food and health work locally.

A shopkeeper in Falkirk has become the first person in Scotland to be convicted of offences under the smoke-free legislation. Vincent McFadden, a timber merchant, was found guilty of failing to display the required signs, despite having been given them previously. McFadden, who has a timber shop in Dalderse Avenue, Falkirk, became abusive and threatening when Smoking Enforcement Officers approached him about his non-compliance. He was fined £200 at the town’s Sheriff Court for breach of the peace, £125 for failing to display no-smoking signs and £125 for refusing to give his name and address. A spokesman for Falkirk Council said “It is important that businesses recognise that the legislation is there to protect the public and they must comply with all the regulations. We always take an educative approach. Prosecutions are usually only taken as a last resort.”