Category: Uncategorized

The President, members of Council and members of staff at REHIS wish everyone in the Scottish and international environmental health community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The February edition of the REHIS e-Newsletter ‘News for Public Health Professionals’ has been uploaded to this website and is accessible from the dedicated portal to the left of this news item. If you wish to feature an environmental health or public health initiative, event or activity in the e-Newsletter please contact Tom Bell, Chief Executive on 0131 225 6999 or tb@.

This year´s Law Enforcement course will be held over the weekend of Friday 20 to Sunday 22 February. Bookings are now being taken and full details can be found on the ´Events´ page.

REHIS members are reminded that the deadline for 2008 record card submissions is 31 January. Full details from Kevin Freeman and his professional development team.

The January edition of the REHIS e-Newsletter ‘News for Public Health Professionals’ has been uploaded to this website and is accessible from the dedicated portal to the left of this news item. If you wish to feature an environmental health or public health initiative, event or activity in the e-Newsletter please contact Tom Bell, Chief Executive on 0131 225 6999 or tb@.

The Winter 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.

Dr Burns was presented with a specially engraved quaich and a certificate in recognition of his pioneering work linking the effects of the environment to human health in Scotland at the Institute’s Annual Awards Ceremony in Edinburgh recently.
Harry Burns was appointed as Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in 2005 and is the Scottish Government’s principal medical adviser. He has direct involvement in the development of health policy in all its dimensions including health protection and health improvement.In exploring and publicly considering the physiological mechanisms, and particularly the role of stress, underpinning arguably Scotland’s greatest health challenge – the stark differences in health and wellbeing between the better off and the socio-economically disadvantaged, he has inspired many in the wider public health workforce to look afresh at their priorities and approaches. For environmental health professionals this has meant careful reflection on how we might more effectively influence the quality of Scotland’s urban and rural places. In his first annual report as CMO, developed around the theme of children’s health, Dr Burns accorded a prominent role to environment in influencing the health and safety of Scotland’s children.
Ken Macintosh MSP was presented with the REHIS Meritorious Endeavours in Environmental Health Award for 2007 at the same event.
Ken Macintosh has long been an advocate for the introduction of stricter controls on premises where sunbeds are operated for public use. In 2006 he introduced a Private Bill to the Scottish Parliament which aimed to introduce stricter controls. Although the Bill did not receive sufficient support or parliamentary time and was unsuccessful Ken has continued to work towards the introduction of stricter controls which will reduce the incidence of skin cancers in Scotland and the new Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 which received Royal Assent in July, contains provisions for the regulation of such premises.
The Institute recognises Ken’s contribution to the protection of public health in Scotland with the presentation of this award.

The Scottish Government, in conjunction with Environmental Protection UK – Scottish Division and REHIS, have joined together to present this topical and dynamic awareness seminar for Environmental Health Officers.
The aim of the seminar is to explain the new Nuisance provisions scheduled to be commenced by Part 9 of the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008 on 26th January 2009.
This is a free event supported by Scottish Government/Environmental Protection UK – Scottish Division/REHIS

The draft Nuisance Guidance will be out for consultation from 15th October to 16th December 2008 and all EHOs and those involved with Statutory Nuisance enforcement are encouraged to comment.
The draft guidance will be found on the Scottish Government Consultation website.

FSA & REHIS FOOD UPDATE COURSE(for local authorities only): 17 NOVEMBER 2008
REHIS HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE COURSE(for local authorities and health and safety advisors): 18 NOVEMBER 2008
On 17 November the Institute has once again teamed up with the FSA Scotland to provide an affordable update course on food related matters. The FSA Scotland has agreed to provide a number of updates on their work and there will be other speakers from local authority, HPS and academia.
The 18 November sees the Health & Safety update. Again we have been able to secure a significant contribution from the HSE Local Authority Unit along with speakers from local authorities and the private sector.
To book places on the course please complete and return the attached booking forms as soon as possible. The closing date for bookings is 10 November 2008.

Colin Wallace has taken over the reins of the REHIS Presidency for the next year from outgoing President Robert Howe. The handover of the chain of office took place at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting on 20th November in Edinburgh.

The December edition of the REHIS e-Newsletter ‘News for Public Health Professionals’ has been uploaded to this website and is accessible from the dedicated portal to the left of this news item. If you wish to feature an environmental health or public health initiative, event or activity in the e-Newsletter please contact Tom Bell, Chief Executive on 0131 225 6999 or tb@.

Details of the REHIS Southern and Northern Centre AGMs have been announced. The Southern Centre AGM will be held in Glasgow on 24 September and will be followed by a Housing seminar. The Northern Centre AGM will be held in Aberdeen on Thursday 25 September and will be preceded by a seminar covering a range of topical environmental health subjects. All members of REHIS are encouraged to attend their local AGM and are very welcome to attend the free to members training seminars which include a buffet lunch. Non-members may attend the seminars for a fee of £20.00. A mailing, containing full information on these events, will be posted to all REHIS members in the next couple of days.