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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.”

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.