Category: Uncategorized

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.

Successfully running for the 7th year,Brownfield Briefing’s annual legislation conference will return to Glasgow this month.Respected industry speakers provide an in-depth look at the key changes in brownfield regulation and legislation, providing lawyers, regulators, developers, local authorities, consultants and other professionals in the brownfield industry with all the updates that will affect them over the next twelve months. Date – 28 Jan 2009 Venue – Glasgow For more information please contact us on conference@newzeye.com, or call 020 8969 1008. Click here for a brochure

Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport, has announced measures aimed at protecting future generations from the devastating health effects of smoking. In legislation published yesterday cigarette vending machines and tobacco displays in shops are set to be consigned to history in Scotland as part of radical measures designed to reduce child smoking. Among the measures included in the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill are the •banning of cigarette vending machines •banning of tobacco displays in shops •introduction of a registration scheme for retailers •introduction of powers to issue fixed penalty notices for retailers who sell cigarettes to under 18s •introduction of banning orders to prevent retailers selling cigarettes who continually break the law. Smoking in public places in Scotland was banned on March 26 2006 and on October 1 2007 the minimum age for buying cigarettes was raised to 18. REHIS has an excellent record of support for measures introduced to control tobacco in Scotland and fully supports the introduction of the Bill. Full information on the introduction of the Bill is available on the Scottish Government’s website www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009.

HEALTH is paramount to the success of the food and drink industry. As a result, the 2009 joint REHIS/Scottish Food and Drink Federation(SFDF)/Institute of Food Science and Technology(IFST) symposium ‘Healthy Routes to Profit’ has been organised for the food industry, educational and training organisations and local authority environmental health service. This is the 7th joint symposium run by the Institute, SFDF and IFST. The event attracts representatives from all parts of the food and drink industry, government and its agencies and the enforcement community. The events are well received by delegates with feedback from the 2008 event including: “Subject matter excellent and varied”, “high quality meeting”, “very well organised and informative” and “good range of knowledgeable speakers”. Taking place on 12th May at the Apex City Quay Hotel,Dundee, this timely event considers a number of issues that are top of everyone’s priority lists. This includes processing efficiency, ethical marketing, reading behind the label, reformulation and innovations in healthy food development. Speakers from the Food Standards Agency, Marks & Spencer, industry advisory agencies and Scottish food research and academic bodies feature on the agenda and will be interspersed with inspiring industry case studies featuring small and large Scottish food manufacturers. A programme and registration form is attached but if you require further information please contact: Joan Creelman Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF) 4a Torphichen Street Edinburgh EH3 8JQ t. 0131 229 9415 f. 0131 229 9407 e. joan.creelman@sfdf.org.uk Full details, including a detailed agenda and booking form are also be available at www.sfdf.org.uk

Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Agricultural College have re-issued their E. coli O157 advice to help rural residents and visitors reduce the risk of E. coli O157 infection from countryside exposures. Full information is available on the HPS website at www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/giz/wrdetail.aspx?id=40991. Footnote: Information on E. coli O157, including a link to new Guidance on the Public Health Management of VTEC in Scotland, and a surveillance report with provisional figures for 2008, can also be found on the HPS website.

Health and Safety Update Course, 6 October, Stirling (to be confirmed) Food Update Course, 7 October, Stirling (to be confirmed) Annual Seminar for Trainers, 21 October, Dundee REHIS/SFSORB Professional Examinations, 3, 4 and 5 November, Edinburgh Annual Awards Ceremony, 18 November (evening), Edinburgh Environmental Health Update Event, 19 November (am), Edinburgh Annual General Meeting, 19 November (pm), Edinburgh.

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) in partnership with ASH Scotland are for the first time presenting the Crofton Award, recognising the contribution that young people in Scotland make towards reducing the harm caused by tobacco. Applications are welcomed before 21 October 2009 for a chance to win the award, including a £1,000 first place prize, to be used to further develop the work which is awarded. Both organisations are delighted to support the first Crofton Award, which will recognise the contribution that young people in Scotland make to tackle the harm caused by tobacco use and smoking.