Author: Peacock Carter

Many providers of tattooing, skin piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis services across Scotland may be unaware they are committing a criminal offence by operating without a licence. The warning comes as Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from throughout Scotland attend the first training seminar on enforcing licensing laws in such premises.

A questionnaire, recently sent out to all REHIS members and seeking their views on the ban on smoking in public places which was introduced on 26 March last year, has produced some interesting findings. See attached document for more information.

A REHIS survey has found that the Scottish ban has been an overwhelming success. Since its introduction on 26th March 2006, Scots Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) have conducted more than 55,000 inspections of premises, resulting in just one prosecution for a breach of the regulations.

The current Scottish Executive consultation on the Strategic Framework is open until 22nd June. The goal of the framework is the development of better systems to pursue environments consistent with and promoting human health and wellbeing and a Scotland of equal opportunity. The framework defines priorities in terms of health outcomes and identifies three target areas: asthma (e.g. air pollution, occupational health), cardiovascular disease (e.g. environmental stressors, safe environment for physical activity) and unintentional injury ( e.g.home safety, road safety). If you would like to contribute to the REHIS response to the consultation, please forward comments to Val Cameron by 10th June.Contact Val at vc@

Health Protection Scotland and REHIS are pleased to announce that the annual Communicable Disease Update will take place on the 21 August 2007 at the Royal College of Physicians in Glasgow.The programme includes sessions on National and International Perspectives,Respiratory Disease and GI Infections.There are also discussion sessions,opportunities to meet other professionals and to share ideas.

The Ad Hoc Group has reviewed the advice given by the Chief Medical Officer in 1998 on the safe cooking of burgers.In particular, the Group considered whether this advice is still appropriate for consumers,manufacturers,retailers,caterers and suppliers to caterers in light of the differences between the recommended cooking conditions in the UK and the USA.

Scottish Government Seminar on Contaminated Land, Edinburgh, 5 November 2007. REHIS Health and Safety Update Course,Edinburgh, 13 November 2007. REHIS Annual Presentation of Awards, Edinburgh, 21 November 2007(evening event). REHIS Environmental Health Update, Edinburgh, 22 November 2007(am). REHIS Annual General Meeting, Edinburgh, 22 November 2007(pm). REHIS Annual Conference,Edinburgh, 17 and 18 April 2008. For more information on these events contact the REHIS Office.

This Update is being issued to all Project Stakeholders to provide a summary of the activities which have been taken forward by the HPS Project Team. Since being launched on 12th January 2007 the Campaign has undertaken a number of activities aimed at reducing avoidable illness amongst patients,staff and the general public. The Update is attached.

The REHIS Public Health and Housing Update has now been announced and we are able to take bookings. The event is aimed at all environmental health professionals who are looking to develop their knowledge and awareness in this area. On day one, the morning session will focus on public health and communities and in the afternoon the theme will be changes to the public health legislation. Day two will be dedicated to housing issues and will provide an overview of the new Housing (Scotland) Act and the revised Tolerable Standard, the issues surrounding travelling people, Landlord Registration and Gangmasters. The event is scheduled to be presented on 13 and 14 May 2008 at the Menzies Belford Hotel in Edinburgh. The programme and booking form are attached for download. Please complete and fax to 0131 225 3993 or post to REHIS,3 Manor Place,Edinburgh,EH3 7DH.

This symposium has been designed to provide informed, contemporary and relevant information on some areas of current interest in infectious diseases. Zoonoses continue to be a very important and often misunderstood area of infection. The morning sessions will cover topical issues and recent developments in both the challenges of diagnosis and management of three important zoonoses; Q fever, lyme borreliosis and rabies. Click here for more information. Symposium details

REHIS Annual Presentation of Awards, Edinburgh, 19 November 2008 (evening event). REHIS Environmental Health Update, Edinburgh, 20 November 2008 (am). REHIS Annual General Meeting, Edinburgh, 20 November 2008 (pm). For more information on these events contact the REHIS Office.

The Autumn 2008 edition of Environmental Health Scotland,the REHIS Journal,can be accessed on the members area. Members will receive their copies of the Journal in the next seven to ten days.