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To mark our 150^th anniversary, we have launched a brand-new REHIS Instagram page – a space where we will celebrate history, share key updates, and connect more closely with our community.

This new platform is also a step towards enhancing engagement with our REHIS members, offering an accessible way to keep with news from the institute, events, and the broader Environmental Health profession.

Keep an eye out for:

• Event updates and highlights
• Moments from our 150^th celebrations
• Spotlights on members, training partners, and success stories
• Key news about Environmental and Public Health

We would love to see you there! Head over to Instagram and give us a follow @rehisscotland

Let’s grow our community and continue raising the profile of Environmental Health together.

#REHIS #150YearsofREHIS #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealth #Scotland #REHISOnInstagram

Early Bird Booking is now open for the REHIS 150th Anniversary Forum which is being held on Thursday 25th September 2025.

BOOK HERE!

Public Health Scotland (PHS) have published Guidance for the public health management of Legionnaires’ disease.

In line with the PHS method to produce health protection guidance, a guidance development group (GDG) consisting of a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders with relevant expertise, has adapted the UKHSA Legionnaires’ disease: guidance, data and analysis (2021), for use in Scotland. 

This guidance replaces the 2014 SHPN Guideline on the management of Legionella cases, incidents, outbreaks and clusters in the community.

It is intended for use by professionals in NHS health protection teams, Public Health Scotland (PHS) and other relevant stakeholders. 

Key messages about the guidance

 The guidance:

· outlines the public health investigation and management of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) cases, clusters and outbreaks

· aligns with UK case definitions and now includes detection of Legionella spp. nucleic acid, by PCR, to confirm cases (which was adopted in Scotland from 2017)

· recommends public health actions for cases and clusters associated with healthcare settings, with community-based settings and travel 

· outlines the environmental investigation of potential sources of infection and sampling

Back in March 2020, the world faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the many of us stayed at home, our Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) were undertaking a pivotal role in safeguarding public health.

We are proud of the next generation of EHOs as they conduct their professional exams in March to achieve the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health. They are crucial to Scotland’s ongoing commitment for environmental health excellence.

We extend our gratitude to all EHOs – past, present, and future for their ongoing commitment to protecting and promoting environmental health across Scotland.

COMMUNITY TRAINING

The Institute held a very successful Presenter’s update on Wednesday 12 March, in Edinburgh. It was a fantastic day of learning, discussion, and networking. Key highlights:

• Sandra Williamson on upholding training standards and the importance of regulated qualifications.
• Dr Hazel Gowland on food sensitivities, allergen risks, and early dietary exposure.
• Robert Bradford on workplace dust exposure and occupational health.
• John Bissett and Jane Bunting on the growing need for Mental Health First Aid training.
• Jemma Warren from The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, discussing personal safety and conflict avoidance.
• Liam Petrie leading an energetic discussion on HACCP vs. Food Safety Management systems.

We appreciate our expert speakers and engaging attendees for making it such a valuable event.

For anyone interested in becoming an approved training centre please contact the Director of Training by email contact@

150 YEAR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FORUM

The 150 Year Environmental Health Forum will be held on Thursday 25 September 2025 at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh which will then be followed by a special dinner to celebrate the 150-year milestone.

The full programme and booking details will be published on the REHIS website soon.

MEET OUR MARKETING STUDENT

The Institute is delighted to welcome Ryan Coull, a third-year Business and Marketing student from Edinburgh Napier University who is on placement with us. Ryan’s role will involve boosting the visibility of REHIS and the Environmental Health profession through social media and other platforms, as well as assisting with the 150 Year celebrations. You can read all about Ryan here Meet our marketing student – REHIS

DIARY DATES – PROFESSIONAL COURSES

The Professional update courses for the year include:

• Pollution Update, 21 May 2025
• Food Update, 4 June 2025
• Health & Safety Update, 3 September 2025
• Environmental Health Update (prior to AGM), 21 November 2025
• Public Health & Housing Update, 3 December 2025

Event booking details will feature on the Institute website Events Archives – REHIS

A coalition of more than twenty organisations and individuals, including councillors, health professionals, teachers, and charities, have joined forces to urge the Scottish Government to better enforce the ban on engine idling.

Engine idling, leaving a vehicle’s engine running while stationary, is already prohibited in Scotland because it releases toxic exhaust fumes that are harmful to human health and the environment. Yet despite over 1,000 complaints of idling from members of the public since 2019, there has been a systemic failure to enforce the ban, according to data uncovered by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS) and Asthma + Lung UK.

There is extensive evidence linking vehicle emissions to diseases including lung cancer and asthma. Children, older people, pregnant women and people with existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable and exposed to toxic exhaust fumes at idling hotspots such as schools, hospitals and bus stops.

Studies have found that in comparison to idling, switching the engine off significantly cuts pollution, even when stopping for only 30 seconds. Yet the current enforcement regime is failing to deter engine idling – Scottish Government guidance discourages local authorities from issuing fines, which can only be issued as a last resort if drivers refuse to switch off engines. The current fine of £20 has not kept pace with inflation, remaining at the same rate as when it was introduced more than twenty years ago.

Now a growing coalition, including conveners of transport and environment committees in Scotland’s four largest local authorities; health professionals; children’s, parents, and teachers groups; and environmental and public health charities, has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport demanding action.

The coalition is proposing three measures to enforce the ban: increase the level of fines to act as a meaningful deterrent; improve the Government’s guidance to extend enforcement powers; and enforce local authority monitoring and reporting requirements. 

Shivali Fifield, Chief Officer at ERCS, said:

“In 2024, the government stated its vision for Scotland to have the cleanest air in Europe – if they are serious about delivering on that ambition, then effective enforcement of the laws we already have to cut air pollution is an obvious place to start.

Engine idling exposes us to toxic exhaust fumes every single day, and like smoking in restaurants, is a habit that should be condemned to the dustbin of history. Yet despite public outrage, it continues unabated – with a toothless enforcement regime that does nothing to deter offenders.

There is a straightforward solution to solve this scandal – empowering local authorities to enforce the ban that already exists in law.”

Cllr Angus Millar, transport convener at Glasgow City Council said:

“While engine idling remains a significant issue throughout our cities and towns, the limitations of Scotland’s current enforcement guidance means Councils are unable to provide an effective and lasting deterrent to this behaviour. Enforcement can currently only take place in very limited circumstances, and in the very few cases where penalties are issued these are at a historically low level set decades ago.

“It’s clear that in order to seriously tackle the problem of idling, education and awareness-raising around health and environmental impacts need to be coupled with more robust and updated enforcement powers for local authorities, and Glasgow City Council looks forward to engaging with partners on seeking improvements to the enforcement regime.”

Gareth Brown, Chair of Healthy Air Scotland and Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland)  for Asthma + Lung UK, said:

“Poor air quality contributes to up to 2,700 premature deaths each year in Scotland. It creates new lung conditions, worsens existing ones leading to an increase in hospitalisations and is linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and stunted lung growth in children. People want to see more action to tackle this problem. Our annual polling of 1000 Scots, shows time and time again that people want more to be done about idling outside schools in particular.

“Exhaust emissions from cars contain dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. It is vitally important that we protect the lungs and health of our children, no one should be forced to breathe in harmful pollutants. Many people mistakenly believe that stopping a car engine, only to restart it a minute or two later, causes more pollution than idling. It doesn’t.”

Mike Corbett, Scotland National Official at NASUWT teachers’ union, said: 

“Vehicle pollution can have a long-lasting impact on the health of children and young people. But drivers, local authorities and the Scottish Government can all play their part in reducing the harms caused. Drivers can ensure they switch off their vehicles while waiting outside schools and the Scottish Government can empower local authorities to enact and enforce laws on vehicle idling to act as a deterrent. Communities would all benefit from cleaner air and an improved environment at little inconvenience to drivers.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed, along with partner agencies it is investigating five cases of listeria at NHS hospitals and other healthcare settings.

UKHSA said the cause of the outbreak was yet to be confirmed but laboratory testing suggested a potential link with a particular dessert.

Three of the five people investigated died, with listeria confirmed as the cause of death for one person. While the other two people to have died had listeria at the time of death it was not listed as the cause of death.

Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections, food safety and one health at UKHSA, said: ‘Working with the Food Standards Agency, on a precautionary basis, we have advised NHS trusts and those providing care to vulnerable people to stop serving these desserts while investigations are underway.’

Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA said: ‘The FSA, UKHSA, NHS, DHSC, PHW and local authorities are working together to identify the cause of an outbreak of listeria linked to desserts served in NHS trusts and other health care settings.

‘The desserts potentially linked to the reported illness are currently being removed from the supply chain. The food business that supplied the products are undertaking a product withdrawal, as a precaution. The cause of contamination is being investigated, and the local authority is working with the business to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect public health.’

An NHS spokesperson said: ‘The NHS is continuing to support the UKHSA’s investigation into an outbreak of listeria thought to be linked to dessert products, and took immediate action once informed to ensure they will not be served in NHS hospitals in the meantime, including issuing urgent guidance to all providers.

‘The NHS is fully committed to the highest food safety standards and works closely with the FSA, UKHSA and Government to ensure the food served for patients, visitors and staff is safe.’

A new mini-series based on the Corby scandal in which a negligent council repeatedly exposed residents to toxic waste, is available to watch on Netflix.

“Toxic Town” dramatises the events in the Midlands town between the mid 80s and 2010 when a settlement was reached. 

The case revolved around the negligence of Corby Borough Council in transporting a huge amount of toxic waste from a former British Steel site through residential areas in open lorries with up to 200 such trips made in a day.

It was not long before it was noticed that a significant number of babies were being born with upper-limb deformities. Toxic Town tells the story of the mothers who battled for justice for their children.

The case was particularly notable as being the first in the world to establish a link between atmospheric toxic waste and birth defects. Other, similar cases had involved water-borne pollutants.

The Netflix show is a four part series that follows events throughout the case.

• Episode 1 takes place in 1995, when two women in the same hospital give birth to disabled babies on the same day.
• Episode 2 takes place in 1999, as Susan McIntyre (played by Jodie Whittaker) begins to suspect the baby’s physical differences may be connected 
• Episode 3 takes place in 2002. As the mothers’ start to build their case against the council.
• Episode 4 takes place in 2009, As the case is heard in the High Court.

In the original case, the judge found that the council had allowed toxic waste to disperse into the atmosphere, saying that: ‘There was an extended period in which Corby Borough Council was extensively negligent in its control and management of the sites which they acquired from British Steel and otherwise used.

‘That negligence… led to the extensive dispersal of contaminated mud and dust over public areas of Corby and into and over private homes, with the result that the contaminants could realistically have caused the types of birth defects of which complaint has been made by the claimants.’

Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) has published their Areas of Research Interest document which collates recommendations on research and evidence requirements.

The Areas of Research Interest document collates ESS’ recommendations on research and evidence requirements that have been identified through our investigations and analytical work conducted under the eight environmental topic areas identified in ESS’ 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. A number of these evidence gaps relate to a lack of national scale environmental data for Scotland, including cases where only partial regional data are available and cases where only UK or European level data are available.

The Area of Research Interest include:

Air quality

Air pollution is a significant environmental issue in Scotland due to its impact on public health and the wider environment. Scientific uncertainties and evidence gaps remain in understanding the changing patterns of emissions and the effectiveness of regulatory measures. ESS has identified the following research and evidence needs on air quality:

• understanding the effectiveness of Scotland’s existing air quality monitoring network for measuring NO₂ and particulate matter pollution in Scotland, given the known changes in emission sources
• understanding exposure at schools, hospitals or other sites where vulnerable groups are present to NO₂ and particulate matter pollution in Scotland
• understanding how should an emissions monitoring system should be designed to support a harm reduction agenda for at risk groups across Scotland
• understanding the relationship between agriculture emissions and particulate matter generation in Scotland. What contribution do key precursors such as ammonia make to particulate matter pollution through secondary emissions?

Land and soil

Scotland’s soils play a critical role in supporting biodiversity, agriculture and the nation’s ambitions for climate resilience. Notable knowledge gaps remain on the status and health of Scotland’s soil and the long-term impact of multiple human-driven pressures. ESS has identified the following research and evidence needs on soil:

• understanding spatial and temporal trends in soil biodiversity at a national scale, including opportunities for innovative low cost and efficient monitoring
• quantifying any changes to soil carbon stocks that arise from tree planting carbon sequestration schemes
• the environmental and soil biodiversity impacts of spreading waste material and by-products, including sewage sludge, on land to improve soil nutrient concentrations. This includes understanding the extent to which spreading waste introduces contamination, with a particular focus on contaminants that do not form part of the required testing regime such as Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) and microplastics

Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging environmental issue in Scotland, with significant implications for ecosystem health, biodiversity, and public health. AMR can arise from a range of sources, including agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, and pharmaceutical waste, allowing resistant microbes and antimicrobial genes to persist and spread in soils, waterways, and wildlife. There are multiple evidence gaps relating to AMR in the environment. ESS has identified the following research and evidence needs on AMR:

• the impacts of anti-microbial pollution on the environment including in relation to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and processes. Specifically, this includes distinguishing between the environment as a transmitter of AMR genes and the environment being impacted by AMR
• the transmission of AMR from wildlife
• spatial and temporal trends in pharmaceutical pollution

Water

Scotland has extensive water resources including 90% of the UK’s surface freshwater and 8% of Europe’s coastline. Scientific understanding of these interconnected environments and how different pressures and management practices impact environmental status is inherently complex. ESS has identified the following research and evidence needs on water, including marine:

• understanding the accuracy of predicted storm water overflow spill rates from hydraulic modelling and in response to locations where environmental pollution incidents have occurred
• temporal and spatial trends of storm water overflow spills in dry weather in Scotland, and the relative environmental impact of spills from storm water overflows in dry weather
• key sources, pathways and flux of marine litter at a national scale.
• the drivers and causes of fishing-derived marine litter in Scotland, including a more comprehensive understanding on changes in fishing gear use and waste generation in Scotland

Climate change

Scottish local authorities are required to report on compliance with their climate change duties. This includes reporting on greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to their overall emissions footprint. However, accurate accounting of emissions remains challenging due to incomplete or partial data across supply chains and a lack of consensus on effective reporting methodologies. ESS has identified the following research and evidence needs on emission assessments:

• development of suitable methodologies to enable local authorities to report on relevant scope 3 emissions
• quantifying emission increases and reductions that arise from Scottish Government infrastructure investments

Cross-cutting

ESS has a cross-cutting interest in understanding best practice in providing public access to environmental data held by both the public and private sector. ESS is also interested in understanding opportunities for using Scotland’s existing national environmental monitoring programmes and/or other existing data to provide novel environmental insights.

In sharing the Areas of Research Interest, ESS is seeking to motivate research funders and research teams to deliver new scientific evidence on key environmental topics which can be used by both ESS and wider public authorities to deliver their functions. ESS will use this ARI document in our ongoing engagement with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and other bodies, to inform and support the focus of environmental research funding.

UKHSA is exploring artificial intelligence (AI) to detect foodborne illness outbreaks by analysing online restaurant reviews for symptoms and food mentions.

In a new study, UKHSA experts have assessed different types of AI for their ability to detect and classify text in online restaurant reviews, which could one day be used to identify and potentially target investigations into foodborne illness outbreaks.

Foodborne gastrointestinal (GI) illness – which usually presents as vomiting and diarrhoea – is a major burden on society’s health in the UK, causing millions of people to become unwell every year. However, it is estimated that most cases of GI illness are not formally diagnosed.

UKHSA tech experts and scientists looked at a range of large language models and rated their ability to trawl thousands of online reviews for information about symptoms which might relate to GI illness – such as diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain – as well as different food types people report eating.

UKHSA scientists believe that gathering information in this way could one day become routine, providing more information on rates of GI illness which are not captured by current systems as well as vital clues around possible sources and causes in outbreaks.

However, the study has highlighted key challenges around the approach that would need to first be overcome, particularly around access to real-time data.

While it is possible to use the approach to gather general information on the type of food people have eaten and which may be linked to illness, determining which specific ingredients or other factors that may be linked is difficult. Variations in spelling and the use of slang were also identified as potential challenges, as well as people misattributing their illness to a given meal.

Professor Steven Riley, Chief Data Officer at UKHSA said:

We are constantly looking for new and effective ways to enhance our disease surveillance.

Using AI in this way could soon help us identify the likely source of more foodborne illness outbreaks, in combination with traditional epidemiological methods, to prevent more people becoming sick.

Further work is needed before we adopt these methods into our routine approach to tackling foodborne illness outbreaks.

While work has previously been carried out to consider how AI could help in reviewing restaurant reviews in this way, UKHSA’s latest study goes a step further by looking at a much more detailed list of terms and language that could potentially help to identify illness outbreaks.

This works forms part of UKHSA’s evaluation of AI to perform different tasks within public health.

Over three thousand reviews were manually annotated by epidemiologists after being collected and filtered.

Reviews were filtered for those containing a comprehensive list of possible GI related keywords, which were then further examined for relevant symptoms.

Symptoms such as headache, fever, and respiratory symptoms were not annotated, because they are not sufficiently specific to GI illness.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland is warning the public of the dangers of so-called Botox parties. Regulator advises only registered healthcare professionals should provide cosmetic treatments like Botox.

Botox parties are often organised with unregulated providers such as beauticians. This means important decisions regarding health and wellbeing can be seriously impaired by consumption of alcohol.

As the regulator of independent healthcare in Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland advises that cosmetic treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers and slimming jabs should only be provided by regulated healthcare professionals.

All private clinics, hospitals and hospices where services are provided by healthcare professionals are legally required to be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland. 

Eddie Docherty, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:

“Having a cosmetic treatment is a serious undertaking that should only be entered into with due consideration of the very real risks to an individual’s health and safety. Bringing together the injecting of Botox, alcohol and a party atmosphere reduces people’s judgement, and their ability to properly provide consent and consider the real risks. No clinic regulated by us, and run by a healthcare professional, would be permitted to run Botox parties as an appropriate environment to provide such a treatment.

“We would urge anyone looking to get cosmetic interventions to think about their health and wellbeing, and put their care into the hands of professionals with years of appropriate training and experience behind them, and where they can trust them to make their wellbeing a priority.

“In addition, if you are receiving Botox from a beautician, then it may be a product that has been imported from overseas and not authorised for use in the UK. Only a trained and experienced healthcare professional should administer Botox, acquired through a registered pharmacist, as they can access it legally, understand the physiology of the face in order to administer it correctly, and have ready access to effective medicines if something goes wrong.”

He added:

“People should always check that a clinic is registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland before undertaking treatments.”

There are over 500 registered and regulated clinics across Scotland, the vast majority providing cosmetic procedures. You an find details of regulated private clinics on our website.

There are currently no regulatory requirements for non-healthcare professionals providing cosmetic treatments. The Scottish Government recently held a consultation on how this part of the industry should be regulated. Find out more about the consultation.

Social housing residents in Scotland will be given greater protection against issues of disrepair in their homes such as damp and mould through the introduction of Awaab’s Law.

Awaab’s Law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after being exposed to mould in his home in Rochdale.

The Scottish Government intends to introduce amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that will broaden Ministers’ powers to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair and start repairs, through regulation, following engagement with the sector.

Registered social landlords are required to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) which requires housing to be free from rising or penetrating damp, to have satisfactory ventilation and meet minimum energy efficiency standards.

The regulations will build on provisions already in the Bill on strengthening tenants’ rights and Scotland’s existing legal protections for social tenants such as the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Right to Repair Scheme.

Just like the social rented sector, the Scottish Government is committed to and will consider how to implement Awaab’s Law for private tenants, using existing powers, after engagement with the private rented sector.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“Introducing timescales and expectations for repairs aims to make sure this never happens to a child or their family ever again.

“Everyone in Scotland deserves the right to live in a warm, safe and secure home, free from disrepair. We already have a strong set of rights and standards that have been improving in Scotland.

“However, these measures will go even further and give power and confidence to tenants that any issues identified and repairs started in a timely manner, so any issues do not have a detrimental impact on their health.

“Our Housing Bill already contains proposals to improve tenants’ rights, and these measures will strengthen those even further to make sure their home is safe for them and their families.”

As REHIS celebrates 150 years, on International Women’s Day we celebrate the powerful contributions of women who are at the forefront of environmental health and inspiring the next generation of Environmental Health Officers. Here are the Past Presidents of REHIS since 2017.