Improving and protecting health and wellbeing in Scotland through education, training and qualifications in Environmental Health
Postgraduate courses aim to boost recruitment of Environmental Health Officers across Scotland
Abertay University has unveiled three new postgraduate programmes in Environmental Health to address Scotland’s critical shortage of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) within local authorities.
Read the full article here Abertay University launches new environmental health programmes to strengthen Scotland’s public health workforce
The recent Global Action Plan webinar on their research and the wider health and environmental impacts of domestic burning recording is now available from the event. The full report by Ricardo in partnership with Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council here.
Clean Air Night is on 22 January 2026. Their full comms pack is also now available on Trello, for information in the lead up to and on the day of Clean Air Night to spread the word about the health harms of wood burning.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published updated guidance on the public health management of elevated lead levels in drinking water.
It is available on the PHS website and can be accessed using this link: Public health management of elevated lead levels in drinking water
It was produced collaboratively by a multi-disciplinary Guidance Development Group (GDG) who used Scottish Health Protection Network (SHPN) methods. A full methods statement is available in the guidance.
This guidance is for all professionals involved in the public health response to elevated lead levels in drinking water.
Key messages about this guidance.
The Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee has launched a call for views on the Financial Memorandum of the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill. The deadline for responses is Wednesday 26 November 2025
For convenience, the specific questions to which the Committee is seeking responses below.
1. Did you take part in any consultation exercise preceding the Bill and, if so, did you comment on the financial assumptions made?
2. If applicable, do you believe your comments on the financial assumptions have been accurately reflected in the FM?
3. Did you have sufficient time to contribute to the consultation exercise?
4. If the Bill has any financial implications for you or your organisation, do you believe that they have been accurately reflected in the FM? If not, please provide details.
5. Do you consider that the estimated costs and savings set out in the FM are reasonable and accurate?
6. If applicable, are you content that your organisation can meet any financial costs that it might incur as a result of the Bill? If not, how do you think these costs should be met?
7. Does the FM accurately reflect the margins of uncertainty associated with the Bill’s estimated costs and with the timescales over which they would be expected to arise?
Before making a submission, please read the privacy notice about submitting views to a Committee. This tells you about how we process your personal data.
ASH Scotland Learning Event – Tobacco Industry Levy with Dr Rob Branston
Presentation with Dr Rob Branston (Associate Professor in Business Economics and Co-Director of the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath) on the principles of a ‘polluter pays’ levy on the tobacco industry gave us food for thought and prompted a lively discussion.
ASH Scotland advocates for such a levy to be introduced in Scotland under devolved health powers, or at UK level, to hold Big Tobacco financially accountable for the damage caused by their addictive health harming products, and we’d appreciate your support for our campaigning on this issue, going forward.
We are delighted to let you know that a video of Dr Branston’s presentation is now available to view on ASH’s YouTube channel.
Scottish Health Survey data 2024 was published today 21 Oct 25:
Summary – The Scottish Health Survey 2024 – volume 1: main report – gov.scot
Scottish Govt in its press release has focused on long term conditions with a concerning and continuing upward trend.
Half of adults now have at least one long-term condition the Scottish Health Survey shows – gov.scot
ASH Scotland called for transparency about and continued funding for stop smoking services in Scotland. ASH Scotland’s Response to 2024 Scottish Health Survey Findings – ASH Scotland
There is little of noteworthy change in the figures, although there is an encouraging reported decline in smoking prevalence in SIMD1 (areas of greatest socio-economic deprivation) from 26% in 2023 to 23% in 2024. Levels of both smoking and vaping reportedly dropped in SIMD1 communities – which does not support the theory that vaping led to a decline in tobacco use.
The Institute is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Master’s programmes in Environmental Health at Abertay University. For more information, please visit Abertay’s website using the links below.
MSc Environmental Health with Professional Practise | Abertay University
The Institute was sad to learn of the death of Peter Archer on 7 October 2025. Peter was a distinguished veteran and a dedicated advocate for environmental health. He made substantial contributions to the profession over many years, serving as the President of the International Federation of Environmental Health from 2016 to 2018.
Here is a Memorial Board https://thesolace.com/memorials/0444d34bd3dd-peter-archer
Our deepest condolences are extended to his family.
It is with great shock and sadness that we heard of the untimely death of a dear friend of the Institute and of the worldwide environmental health community, Ray Ellard.
Ray was a former Principal EHO in the Eastern Health Board , Ireland before he joined the Department of Health as Chief EHO and upon the establishment of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland he became its first Director of Regulation and Compliance, where he remained until his retirement in April 2021.
Ray was a highly esteemed and popular member of the Environmental Health profession nationally and internationally and was a Life Fellow of the Environmental Health Association Ireland, having been its former Honorary Secretary. He was Honorary Secretary of the International Federation for Environmental Health from 2006 until 2011. In the past he was a regular speaker at REHIS conferences.
A true subject matter expert Ray held three MSc Degrees and various post graduate qualifications. He carried his ability, expertise and experience lightly and shared it readily with all, usually in very entertaining presentations. Ray was a natural public speaker and raconteur and was adept at building relationships across all stakeholders, whether that was across rooms or across continents. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Our deepest condolences are extended to his wife Nora, daughter Ruth and extended family.
As part of the 150-year celebrations, the Institute has designed a colourful tartan that cleverly uses the Institute’s history as inspiration. Created by Tartan Caledonia, the design incorporates the colours of the official REHIS crest and boasts thread counts that mark the year of our inception, 1875: 18 for green, 7 for black and 5 for yellow. The main central design (in blue and red) adds up to 150 threads.
The vibrant design was registered on the Scottish Tartan Register, on 20 January 2025 as a permanent reminder of the vital work of REHIS, a very special tartan reflecting our long history. Here is the tartan being woven at The House of Edgar part of the McNaughton group. Click on the image below
This year, we are not only celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Institute but also significant milestones for our office team: Margaret, our Training Administrator, marks an incredible 40 years with REHIS; Cará celebrates 30 dedicated years as Accounts Administrator; and Jane reached a fantastic 10-year milestone as Professional Development Co-ordinator.
Margaret first joined REHIS on 17 June 1985 through a youth training scheme at college, originally on a four-week placement. However, her hard work and knowledge quickly made an impression, and she was offered a permanent role with REHIS, which she undertook whilst doing her last year of the youth training scheme. Over the years Margaret has been able to see the growth of REHIS, having started as part of a small team of just three people in comparison to the thriving team we have at present.
Margaret has seen significant changes within the Institute, from the introduction of new qualifications and courses, to the presenters and colleagues who have come and gone. However, throughout it all Margaret’s commitment to supporting our training centres and maintaining high standards has always remained consistent. She takes immense pride in working with the presenters across Scotland and, of course, in keeping her assistant Tammie on her toes!
Reflecting on her 40 years, Margaret says she “can’t believe how fast time has passed” and credits her enjoyment of the job and her team for making the years fly in.
On behalf of everyone at REHIS, a huge thank you to Margaret, Cará, and Jane for your outstanding commitment and the invaluable contributions you’ve made over the years. We truly appreciate all that you do!
(Left to right – Sandra Williamson, Margaret O’Hare and Jackie McCabe)
