Author: Jackie.McCabe

REHIS Fellow and Past President, Emeritus Professor Kofi Aidoo has been appointed to a prestigious role for his standing in the international public health community.

The Institute was delighted to learn that the Singapore National Medical Research Council has recently appointed Kofi to the Scientific Advisory Board Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant (OF-LCG) programme titled “Integrated Innovations in Infectious Diseases (I3D)”.

The OF-LCG aims to support the best teams of researchers from public institutions to advance human health and wellness, and create economic value for Singapore and Singaporeans, through the pursuit of excellence in research and its applications.

Along with two other SAB members, he will advise and guide the research team in their research directions, as well as providing feedback to the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Office on a yearly basis on areas such as

• Research progress, directions and priorities;
• Research collaborations, locally and internationally with academia and industry;
• Potential to exploit any background and foreground Intellectual Property (IP);
• Human capital and research capability development;
• Impact of the research activities on the industry, economy, health/ healthcare and the society;
• Research translation pathway.

The Institute congratulates Kofi on this new appointment and wish him all the best in this role.

For members of the Institute, notification of the Institute’s AGM is posted on the ‘Your REHIS’ members section of the website.

The Scottish Government has published the Education (Scotland) Bill.  This can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/education-scotland-bill/introduced along with some explanatory notes. 

You may be aware that SQA is preparing to launch the new SVQ Regulatory Services SCQF Level 7 qualification later this year.

SQA is the awarding body for the qualification and are seeking Quality Assurance Subject Experts to support the approval and verification of centre’s who will be delivering in partnership with SQA.

Working as a Quality Assurance Subject Expert for a few days per year is excellent CPD opportunity gaining transferrable skills and knowledge which will support colleagues.

Full details of the opportunity can be found at: https://appointeeopportunities.sqa.org.uk/vacancy/quality-assurance-subject-expert-svq-regulatory-services-scqf-level-7-556958.html

For further information or queries, please contact SQA: Anne.Andrew@sqa.org.uk or Mark.Hood@sqa.org.uk

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) became aware very recently of the University of West of Scotland’s (UWS) decision not to accept first year entrants (2024/25) to the BSc Hons in Environmental Health with Professional Practice course.

In light of this concerning news, the Institute requested an urgent meeting with the University which was held on Tuesday 5 March where unfortunately the University confirmed their decision.  The Institute is extremely disappointed with this and understand that the University are reviewing the current structure of the course.  The University will continue to accept entrants to second year and are committed to supporting all students who are enrolled on the course. 

The Institute has given a commitment to work with UWS and other partners on this critical issue. We will endeavour to keep all members updated with progress on this.

The Autumn Journal, Environmental Health Scotland is now available in the members section of the website.

Notice is hereby given that the Institute’s Annual General Meeting will be held in hybrid format on Friday 17 November 2023 at 2.00pm at at the Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue, 16 St Mary’s Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SU, or remotely by MS Teams.

Members will receive further details included with their AGM papers which will be sent out in October. The election of members to the Council will take place at the AGM. If any member wishes to make a proposal at the AGM, please contact the Chief Executive by 28 September 2023.

Protecting and improving public health is a fundamental objective of Environmental Health and the work of both REHIS and SOCOEHS. Recognising the contributions of our colleague, Martin Keeley, who sadly passed away in 2022, an award has been established to recognise individuals, groups or organisations for actions which have significantly promoted or improved Environmental Health (this can be for single element or wider environmental health).

Applications are invited for the award by the 30 September 2023 and should be submitted using this nomination form, and submitted to contact@

In response to the recent article in the Daily Record on 24 July 2023, The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, often referred to by the acronym REHIS, is the Professional Institute for Environmental Health in Scotland, responded as follows.

The delivery of the Environmental Health Service in Scotland lies primarily with Scotland’s local authorities with Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) carrying the responsibility of many statutory roles. EHOs are public health professionals, educated to degree level and professionally qualified. Their primary objective is to improve and protect the health of Scotland’s people.

The Institute is the awarding body for the qualification which permits an individual to work as an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) and Food Safety Officer (FSO) in Scotland. To qualify as an EHO in Scotland requires academic study, structured professional practice, and completion of a professional examination. 

Student EHOs are required to achieve a BSc (Hons) accredited degree in Environmental Health and follow this by attaining the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health.  The current accredited course is the BSc (Hons) in Environmental Health with Professional Practice at the University of the West of Scotland. The REHIS Diploma requires 48 weeks practical training (which is now integrated into the degree programme) followed by the submission of a portfolio and then oral examinations covering all areas of Environmental Health.

The route to qualifying to be an EHO provides a clear, evidenced qualification which shows the level of skills and knowledge an officer holds.  This is vital when giving advice and guidance to business and particularly when enforcement action, which may result in legal court proceedings, is taken.   One of the unique elements of the profession is that EHOs can take a holistic view of a situation to determine impact on public health.

The Institute recognised that aspiring EHOs might have completed Honours or Masters degree programmes in relevant subject areas earlier in their career and might not be in a position to return to full-time education to complete the accredited degree programme. An Alternative Route has been established which allows individuals with relevant qualifications and experiences to apply for an assessment of these, to determine whether they have the requisite knowledge to pursue the professional EHO qualification. Such professionals may be required to complete additional academic learning and further practical experience but could progress to the professional examination without completing the entire accredited route.

The Institute also operates the Scottish Food Safety Officers Registration Board (SFSORB) which awards the Higher Certificate in Food Practice, the professional qualification required to practice as a Food Safety Officer (FSO) and carry out food law official controls in the UK.

The Institute, whilst committed to maintaining and enhancing the professional standards and qualifications of the Environmental Health workforce in Scotland, is concerned with the current challenges facing local authority Environmental Health workforce.  It is recognised, that whilst there are improvements made with the integrated degree programme and the alternative route, it will take some years to resolve the situation.  The Institute continues to work with national partners including the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland, the Scottish Government, and Skills Development Scotland, to promote and attract candidates to the profession to ensure a sustainable workforce to meet the national public health need right now and for the future.

For further information contact@