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REHIS Annual Review 2013 1

Annual Environmental Health ReviewREHIS and its Scottish Partners - 2013

The Royal EnvironmentalHealth Institute of ScotlandProduced and published by The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

ContentsThe Chief Executive 4

The President 6

Professional Development 8

Qualifications for Communities 10

Health and Safety Co-ordinating Group 16

Scottish Skin Piercing and Tattooing Working Group 16

The Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland 17

Food Standards Agency Scotland 18

Food Issues 20

Health Protection Scotland 22

Healthcare Environment Inspectorate 23

Health and Safety Executive 24

ASH Scotland 27

International Federation of Environmental Health 28

Appendices 1-9 30

List of Contributors: Organisations and Names 39

Core Values and Vision 41

About REHIS 42

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, Number SC009406.

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The Chief ExecutiveThis is the sixth consecutive year that the Institute has published the Annual Review in

which it highlights and celebrates Scotland’s environmental health partnerships. The

importance of these partnerships to the improvement and protection of the health of

Scotland’s people cannot be over-stated. The Institute continues to work in partnership

with the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government, the Food Standards Agency Scotland,

Health Protection Scotland, the Health and Safety Executive, the Society of Chief Officers

of Environmental Health in Scotland, ASH Scotland, and the Healthcare Environment

Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. On the international front

the Institute continues to work closely with the International Federation of Environmental

Health and is committed to working in partnership with the Malawi Environmental

Health Association, with the Environmental Health Association of Ireland and with the

Association of Public Health Inspectors (Cyprus).

The Institute is Incorporated by Royal Charter, is a registered Scottish charity, is a member-

based society, is the organisation that governs the Environmental Health Profession

in Scotland, is a UK Competent Authority for the Environmental Health Profession in

terms of UK and European Union legislation, is an awarding body for a wide range of

environmental health qualifications and is a national training organisation with Approved

Training Centres across Scotland, the rest of the UK and further afield.

As a registered Scottish charity the Institute, through its Charity Trustees (all members of

the Institute’s Council are Charity Trustees - Appendix 1), must act for the benefit of the

public and must comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005

and with guidance issued by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the individuals from all the partner

organisations who contributed to the 2013 Annual Review. The names of these individuals

and of the organisations they represent are listed on page 39.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the important contribution to the improvement

and protection of the health and wellbeing of Scotland’s people by the Institute’s

members, partner organisations and all Environmental Health Professionals and, in

closing, I place on record my thanks to the Institute’s staff for their excellent work

throughout 2013.

Tom Bell

Environmental Health is that area

of Public Health activity which

strives to improve, protect and

maintain health and wellbeing

through action on the

physical environment and

on life circumstances.

Chief Executive - Tom Bell


The PresidentI have been fortunate to be elected President of REHIS three times, in 1988, 2007

and in 2013, and prior to that President of the Scottish Institute of Environmental

Health, a predecessor organisation to REHIS, in 1980. Over this period of more than

30 years environmental health has experienced many changes and challenges,

and none more so than in the last five years. The financial problems facing public

services, which has resulted in a much smaller environmental health workforce, was

not evident in the ’80s and early ’90s. Since 2008 there has been a reduction of over

12% in the number of Environmental Health Officers and over 24% in the number

of Food Safety Officers employed within local authorities. At a time of increasing

demands placed on health improvement in Scotland these figures are a constant

cause for concern. Improving and protecting the health of Scotland’s population

does not happen by chance. This involves many well trained and experienced health

professionals, not only from REHIS but from many other partner organisations.

Although public services cannot expect to be immune from financial problems

affecting the United Kingdom it is a matter of concern that over the past few years

we have witnessed a gradual and sustained reduction in environmental health

resources deployed within our communities. However, the question I would ask is

this really what the general public want?

The REHIS Annual Conference is the principal Environmental Health event to

take place in Scotland. It provides an opportunity to reflect on current and future

approaches to protecting and improving the health of the Scottish people. This

year’s conference, held in May, had the theme ‘Environmental Health - Apart, Yet

Connected’. At a time when the Environmental Health Service and the Public Health

Service is facing so many challenges this title was chosen to emphasise the fact that

although the service is different from many others in the public sector and can stand

alone, it is, by its very nature, very much connected to many agencies outwith our

traditional local government home both here and abroad. The conference was well

attended, considering the current financial climate, and the feedback from delegates

was extremely positive. At the end of the conference the Institute hosted the annual

Council meeting and AGM of the International Federation of Environmental Health

(IFEH). In addition to our membership and participation in the IFEH we continue to

have strong links with colleagues in Cyprus, Ireland, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

This year we introduced a new Scheme of Professional Practice for Student/

Graduate Trainee Environmental Health Officers. ‘Learning by Experience’ is now the

Professional Practice Manual that provides Student/Graduate Trainee Environmental

Health Officers with the necessary information required to complete the REHIS

President - Bernard Forteath

Improving and protecting the

health and wellbeing of Scotland’s

people through education,

training and qualifications in

Environmental Health.

Bernard and Young Samanyika

Bernard delivers his presidential address


Scheme of Professional Practice and to prepare participants

for the successful completion of their portfolio and the

REHIS Professional Examination. The Institute continues

to make a substantial financial contribution, with other

partners, in the provision of additional practical training

places for Student/Graduate Trainee Environmental Health

Officers within local authorities. Community training

courses continued to be well supported throughout

the year and this is a testimony to the close working

relationship that we enjoy with our Training Centres.

During the year the Institute ran a series of roadshows

across Scotland to highlight its role in improving and

protecting public health in Scotland and to promote

the new requirements for the education, professional

practice and examination of Student/Graduate Trainee

Environmental Health Officers. The roadshows were

presented in Aberdeen (with video conferencing links

to Inverness, Stornoway, Kirkwall, Elgin and Lerwick),

Dundee, Dumfries and Stirling on separate dates in May

and June. These meetings were well attended and gave the

opportunity for members to speak to the Institute’s senior

office-bearers and staff on ‘home turf’. This exercise will

be repeated in 2016.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise

the work, carried out on behalf of the membership,

by members of the Institute’s Council and the Northern

and Southern Centres during the year. Both Centres

provide invaluable assistance to members by hosting

continuing professional development training events

which provides the opportunity to access low cost training

in convenient locations.

Before I handed over to my successor in November,

REHIS held its Annual Awards Ceremony. This event is

one of the highlights of the year which allows us to join

with and appreciate the success of students in REHIS

examinations. The award of a Diploma or Certificate marks

one of life’s major transitions as it reflects many years

of dedication to learning and understanding. Awards of

Fellowship of the Institute and Meritorious Endeavours

in Environmental Health are also an important part of the

ceremony. This year a new award was presented by the

Institute. Called the President’s Award, it will be presented

at the Annual Awards Ceremony in November to an

individual or organisation who has/which has significantly

contributed to the improvement and protection of health

and wellbeing in Scotland through their/its activities in the

Institute’s Community Training activities. This year’s award

went to the Engine Shed, Edinburgh. The Engine Shed

was established in 1989 as an innovative training project

for young people with learning difficulties and gives the

trainees an ideal opportunity to gain entry to mainstream

workplaces, mainly in the catering industry.

I conclude this report by thanking Tom Bell, the Institute’s

Chief Executive, for his support and wise counsel and

also the staff of the Institute for their support and

professionalism over the past twelve months.

Bernard Forteath


Professional DevelopmentThe University of Derby gained re-accreditation to continue to deliver an

MSc Environmental Health (by distance learning) degree course during

2013. This course is tailored to meet the needs of those already working

in Environmental Health services who wish to pursue a career as an

Environmental Health Officer. The University is committed to continually

improving access for distance learning students.

The University of Strathclyde continues to offer the MSc Environmental

Health degree course, however, the BSc (Hons) Environmental Health course

continues to be in suspension.

The University of the West of Scotland gained full accreditation to deliver a

BSc (Hons) Environmental Health degree course during 2013, having satisfied

the requirements attached to their conditional accreditation. This is a positive

development as it is the only undergraduate Environmental Health course

accepting intake in Scotland.

In January 2013 the Institute’s Scheme of Professional Practice was launched

replacing the former Scheme of Practical Training. The scheme is designed to

be outcome focused and has the flexibility to be undertaken by both Student/

Graduate Trainee Environmental Health Officers employed by local authority

environmental health services and those who are unattached but able to gain

appropriate training experiences towards completing their portfolios. During

2013, 13 Student/Graduate Trainee Environmental Health Officers registered

with the scheme, eight of those were employed by local authorities, one by a

private sector company and four were unattached.

During the year, two Professional Examination diets were held in Edinburgh

and 10 candidates were successful in gaining the REHIS Diploma in

Environmental Health, the Scottish Environmental Health Officer qualification.

Bernard Forteath and Robert Howe with recipients of the Institute’s Diploma in Environmental Health.

Recipients of awards with Bernard Forteath, Robert Howe, Kate Harley and Ian McWatt.

University of Derby re-accreditation.


REHIS is Scotland’s awarding body

for the Environmental Health

Profession and is a Competent

Authority for the UK

2013 continued the trend of producing opportunities

for post-qualification professional development.

The Institute organised and ran the usual range of

professional update courses at competitive rates

and, in addition, the Southern and Northern Centre

Management Committees organised and ran a

number of events which were all well subscribed.

These events provide opportunities for professionals

to keep themselves abreast with latest developments

in the field of environmental health and share good

working practices. Furthermore, for those members

who are Environmental Health Officers, these

continuing professional development events are key

to achieving Chartered status.

191 EHOs achieved Chartered status in 2013.

The Institute also endorsed training programmes

provided by other organisations for local authority

environmental health staff. A range of events covering

a variety of topical and emerging subjects were

awarded maximum hour values consistent with

the Institute’s Schemes of Continuing Professional

Development for Environmental Health Officers and

Non-Environmental Health Officers.

The Institute continues to play a role in the

Occupational Safety and Health Consultants’

Register of (OSHCR) and is a constituent part of

OSHCR Limited. The Register is voluntary and open

to individuals who provide commercial advice on

general health and safety management issues.

A small number of Institute members have joined the

Register having satisfied the requirements of holding

Chartered status and declaring that they will:

• Demonstrate adequate continuing

professional development

• Abide by the Institute’s code of conduct

• Provide sensible and proportionate advice and

• Have professional indemnity insurance

or equivalent.

The Institute stipulates that members wishing to join

the Register must undertake a minimum of five hours

continuing professional development relating solely to

occupational health and safety annually.


Qualifications for Communities

The Institute is Scotland’s awarding body for

a wide range of courses and qualifications

including food hygiene, food and health,

HACCP, occupational health and safety, and

infection control all of which are aimed at the general public as well as industry.

The courses leading to these qualifications are presented by a network of over

750 REHIS Approved Training Centres throughout Scotland, from Shetland to

Dumfries and in Germany, Africa and the Middle East. Qualifications are also

available as International Certificates which can be delivered by Approved

Centres abroad. A strict quality assurance system is in place in order to maintain

a consistent standard of training across the network of our Approved Training

Centres. The Institute also organises specific subject update seminars for the

training community and a wide range of resources is provided for our Approved

Training Centres.

If a standard REHIS qualification is not considered to be appropriate,

the Institute works with a partner to develop a sector or organisation specific

qualification, which can then be accredited and certified by the Institute.

These joint awards are qualifications which have been designed to meet the

specific outcomes needed by the partner organisation. The partner organisation

determines the outcomes required and the level; REHIS provides the

certification for the course and the appropriate award. The Institute applies

the same level of quality assurance to joint awards as it does to its own courses.

Marian MacDonald, representing the Engine Shed, recipients of the President’s Award with Bernard Forteath.


REHIS Introductory, Elementary, Intermediate and

Advanced qualifications are equivalent to level 1-4

Awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Elementary Food Hygiene examination papers

and some of the training resources are available

in foreign languages.

REHIS recognised the need for Elementary Food

Hygiene training for school students some years

ago and the Food Hygiene in Schools Initiative was

launched to meet that need. Schools can be approved

to deliver the Elementary Food Hygiene Course to

students aged 13-18 inclusive, attending school full-

time. The initiative started in 1993 and since then

REHIS has issued over 68,000 certificates to school

children. Since 2007 the initiative has been funded by

the Food Standards Agency Scotland.

The REHIS Introduction to Food Hygiene Course is

also available for delivery in schools. This is a

non-examinable awareness raising course which

is more suited to some pupils. Both qualifications

are valued by teachers and pupils alike; apart from

receiving information about how to handle food

safely, the pupils are gaining nationally recognised

qualifications which are valued by employers

throughout the food industry. The courses also fit

into the framework for the Scottish Government’s

Curriculum for Excellence.

The Food Standards Agency Scotland provided

funding during 2013 and 191 secondary schools took

part in the Initiative with 12,500 pupils registering

for the Elementary Food Hygiene Course and 3,332

registering for the Introductory Food Hygiene Course.

An increasing number of Scottish schools are now

offering the REHIS Elementary Food and Health

Course as part of their home economics provision.

Although the course was not specifically designed

for young people not yet in employment the areas

covered by the course deal with issues of food and

nutrition relevant to teaching them about the benefits

of eating well. As well as providing pupils with a

qualification which will be of use to them and future

employers in the food sector the course also covers

the principles and practice of the Curriculum for

Excellence with regard to food and health.

During 2013 work continued on three new

REHIS accredited courses, Controlling the Risk of

Cross Contamination, an Elementary Cleaning and

Disinfection Course and a Legionella Awareness

Course.


The cross contamination course is now available and

Approved Food Hygiene Training Centres can apply

for approval to deliver the course. The course is aimed

at managers and supervisors of food businesses

of all sizes where both raw food and ready-to-eat

foods are handled, the cleaning and disinfection

course is aimed at cleaning staff in all types of work

premises. The legionella course is aimed at managers

and supervisors responsible for ensuring that their

premises are meeting the requirements of relevant

health and safety legislation with regard to control of

legionella bacterium. These courses will be available

for delivery in 2014.

A start was also made to developing a new Elementary

Cooking Skills Course. Although diet-related health

in Scotland is slowly improving, many people are still

failing to meet dietary recommendations. As a lack

of cooking and practical food skills is often cited as

a major barrier to healthy eating current food and

health policy in Scotland advocates the need for the

increased promotion of cooking and practical food

skills. To address this REHIS, in partnership with NHS

Forth Valley Nutrition and Dietetics Department

and with support from Community Food and Health

(Scotland) and Edinburgh Cyrenians, has developed

a new course called Elementary Cooking Skills. The

course aims to provide participants with basic cooking

skills with the aim of increasing their confidence, skills

and knowledge.

It is aimed at anyone with an interest in food and

cooking with little or no cooking experience. More

specifically the course can be delivered to a wide

range of participants such as transition and life skills

groups, community groups, voluntary workers, parent

groups, young people, healthcare staff, carers and

support staff. It can also be run to complement the

existing REHIS food and health courses - Elementary

Food and Health and Elementary Food and Health for

Carers of Adults with a Learning Disability.

The course will be available for delivery by Approved

Training Centres in early 2014.

Following discussions between Angus Council

Environmental Health staff, the Food Standards

Agency Scotland (FSAS) and REHIS it was agreed that

a joint seminar aimed at REHIS trainers and local

authority enforcement staff would be an effective

way of promoting consistent enforcement and

training approaches to controlling the risk of cross

contamination.

It was also agreed that it would be an opportunity to

hold the official launch of the new REHIS Controlling

the Risk of Cross Contamination Course (Intermediate

Level).

The Agency agreed to provide funding for the seminar

which took place in March at the Carnoustie Golf

Hotel, Carnoustie in Angus.

The planned outcome was to ensure that all

delegates would have an accurate understanding

of the Food Standards Agency guidance and the

means and methods necessary to educate and

advise food business operators on measures

required to control the risk of microbiological

cross contamination in food businesses.

A total of 47 delegates made up of REHIS trainers

and local authority enforcement staff attended

the seminar. Councils represented included

Aberdeenshire, Highland, Scottish Borders, Fife, North

Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, Clackmannanshire,

Dundee, Moray and Angus Council.


REHIS Approved Training Centres were represented by

trainers from Moray to the Scottish Borders. Following

a welcome by Graham Walker, REHIS Director of

Training and an opening address by Councillor

Sheila Hands, Vice Convener of Infrastructure

Services, Angus Council, the morning session

included presentations from Clare Ireland, Chartered

Environmental Health Officer, Angus Council and Peter

Midgley, Branch Head, Enforcement, FSAS. Peter gave

a valuable overview of the FSA cross contamination

guidance, information on cross contamination risks

and on rapid hygiene tests.

Following the morning break Clare presented

information on E.coli O157 risks and on the REHIS

Controlling the Risk of Cross Contamination Course.

Both presentations were well received by the

delegates. After lunch the remainder of the seminar

consisted of facilitated workshops based on the

case studies included in the cross contamination

course trainers’ resource pack. This was followed by a

question and answer session and the closing address

by Graham Walker.

The annual REHIS Trainers’ Seminar took place on 23

October at IET Glasgow: Teacher Building, 14 St Enoch

Square, Glasgow and, as ever, this proved to be a very

popular event with over 100 trainers attending. The

seminar provided an update on developments in the

areas of infection control, food safety and health and

safety. The event was chaired by Martin Henry, REHIS

Treasurer. The early part of the morning included

presentations from Graham Walker, REHIS Director

of Training and Chris Thomas from Healthy

Working Lives. Graham gave an update on REHIS

Community Training matters and Chris delivered

a presentation on the role of the Scottish Centre

for Healthy Working Lives.

After the morning break, Clare Ireland from the Food

Standards Agency Scotland, continued by giving

an update on current issues being dealt with at the

Agency and this was followed by a presentation

by her FSAS colleague Dr Jacqui McIlhiney on the

Agency’s Food Borne Disease Strategy.

After lunch Angela Kilday, Campaigns and Volunteers

Manager (Scotland) Coeliac UK gave a presentation

on the work of Coeliac UK and this was followed

by Gordon Atterson from Cordia Learning, Glasgow

who gave a presentation on Food Safety and the

Commonwealth Games. This was then followed

by a presentation on the implications of the Waste

(Scotland) Regulations 2012, given by Robbie Weir

from Resource Efficient Scotland.

The presentations were very well received by the

delegates and the Institute is very grateful to all the

presenters and the delegates for their participation

in the event. Participation in this event gives the

Institute’s course presenters an opportunity to update

their knowledge and understanding and to be able to

pass this on to course participants.

During the year a new health and safety joint award

was developed and launched, namely Training in the

Waste and Resource Sector which consists of two

courses under one joint award banner. The award

has been developed by the Institute and Albion

Environmental. The aim of this joint award is to

provide quality training and consultancy to the Waste

and Resource sector in the UK. The award will cover

courses in environmental legislation and health and

safety aimed at managers, supervisors and staff.

In addition work continued on developing two new

joint awards firstly a course based on food safety and

health and safety, titled Safe Working Practices aimed

at young people with learning disabilities.


The award is being developed by the Institute and Windmills Café, a training

cafe providing a wide range of homemade food. The aim of the course is

to provide young people with the skills and knowledge to provide safe and

healthy food in a safe and healthy workplace.

The second joint award under development is a food safety based award.

The award is being developed by the Institute and Coeliac UK. The aim of

this joint award is to assist the food industry in getting to grips with the 2012

gluten-free labelling legislation, demonstrate the ways in which the new law

can be embraced by caterers and fill any knowledge gaps surrounding

gluten-free provision. The course is aimed at anyone in the food service

industry including chefs, front of house, hospitality, retail, serving, hospital,

and school and care home staff, amongst others.

REHIS is grateful once again to Highfield.co.uk Limited for sponsoring the

annual training awards for the course participants achieving the highest

marks in a range of REHIS examinations. The awards were presented by the

President of the Institute, Bernard Forteath and Jayne Sprenger, Highfield’s

Company Services Director at the Annual Awards Ceremony, held in

Edinburgh in November.

The Institute now has 21 standard qualifications, plus three by e-learning,

and 16 joint awards available for delivery by Approved Training Centres.

During 2013 over 49,000 certificates were issued for these qualifications.

Karen Black with the candidates from ESS.

Bernard Forteath, Graham Walker and Jayne Sprenger with Highfield Award recipients and their REHIS Training Centre representatives.


Health and Safety Co-ordinating GroupThe Health and Safety Co-ordinating Group (HASCOG)

sets out to co-ordinate and strategically manage the

direction and policy for local authority enforcement of

occupational health and safety in Scotland.

HASCOG meets on a quarterly basis every year in

Edinburgh on normally the third Thursday of every

January, April, July and October. The 92nd meeting is

scheduled for 16 January 2014 at the REHIS office.

The HASCOG group is well represented by local

authority regional representatives from the four liaison

groups as well as the HSE Local Authority Unit and

the Partnership Team, the Society of Chief Officers of

Environmental Health in Scotland and Health Protection

Scotland. Guest speakers are also invited to the group

meetings if and when necessary.

HASCOG actively promotes consistency of enforcement

activities and continues to be recognised as the forum

to feed into the Health and Safety Executive/local

authority liaison system, ie, HELA, etc. and the National

LGR Practitioner Forum. In turn the group provides

HELA, and the HSE, effective access to the close local

liaison group network that we benefit from in Scotland.

The group continues to support and assist with the

implementation of the health and safety reforms

introduced by the current Government including the

new National Local Authority Enforcement Code, as

part of the ‘reclaiming health and safety for all: an

independent review of health and safety legislation’

commissioned by the Minister for Employment.

Another string of work being taken forward by the

group, in partnership with the Crown Office Procurator

Fiscal Service (COPFS) and HSE is the creation of the

Incident Investigation Support Network. It is envisaged

that the Network will provide the necessary support to

local authorities during the investigation of fatalities

and major incidents. The Network will also provide

support in the preparation and submission of a report

to the Health and Safety Division of COPFS. The

Network is made up of officers from the respective

regional liaison groups.

REHIS and HASCOG continue to support the ongoing

training needs of regulatory officers throughout

Scotland and beyond with the annual Health and

Safety Update Course as well as Northern and Southern

Centres providing essential training opportunities at a

low cost.

Scottish Skin Piercing and Tattooing Working GroupThe Scottish Skin Piercing and Tattooing Working Group

has convened on several occasions since its inception

in 2006 with the introduction of the Skin Piercing and

Tattooing Licensing order. Much of the work of the

group is undertaken via emails and only meets when

necessary.

The membership of the group includes representatives

of the four health and safety liaison groups as well

as Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish

Government, Public Health Team. REHIS plays

a major part in the group with the chair being a

REHIS Council member.


The group continues to review and update the

successfully produced National Licence Conditions

as well as the Local Authority Implementation Guide

(version 1.6) thus aiding consistency of approach

throughout the 32 unitary authorities.

Representatives of the group continued to support

the partnership work between REHIS and colleagues

in NHS Scotland whereby they attended the ‘Sexual

Health and BBV Framework Tattooing Subgroup’.

The focus of this group is mainly on unlicensed

tattooists and raising awareness with teenagers

regarding the threat of infection and bloodborne

viruses via parties and social networks and that work

continues.

Future work of the Scottish Working Group is to

develop mandatory training for licensed operators on

studio hygiene and infection control. A roll-out of six

regional training days are being arranged before April

2014 thanks to funding received from the Scottish

Government. The first of these training days was

held on 2 December 2013 hosted by Aberdeenshire

Council. The priority was given to the existing Licensed

Operators to attend but places were also offered up to

Environmental Health Officers who are inspecting such

premises. The remaining five training days are to be

held in Stirling, Lothian, South Ayrshire, Glasgow

and Inverness.

This has been seen as a gap in the overall licensing

system since its introduction so this is seen as a

positive development. It is proposed to make this part

of the current National Licence Conditions.

The Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in ScotlandThe Society comprises representatives from all

of Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Each council is

permitted to have up to three members, who

should be senior officers of the service which deals

with Environmental Health.

Partner organisations are also invited to attend meetings

and there are generally representatives from the Food

Standards Agency Scotland, the Health and Safety

Executive, Health Protection Scotland, the Convention

of Scottish Local Authorities, the Scottish Environment

Protection Agency and the Royal Environmental Health

Institute of Scotland.

An Annual Congress is held each year, usually in March,

with other general meetings held at other times hosted

by member councils around Scotland and, occasionally,

partner organisations.

The Society plays an important role in facilitating

discussion between members and sharing good practice.

In addition, there are very strong links to government

departments and with bodies within Scotland as well

as throughout the UK. An important role is to represent

the collective view of chief officers in consultations

to government at various levels, whether in written

submission or by ongoing dialogue with officers.

The Society has developed a website for use by

members and others as a reference facility. The site can

be found at www.socoehs.com.

HASCOG is a REHIS Working Group


Food Standards Agency ScotlandThe Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSA)

continued to be a proactive partner supporting the

work of REHIS to improve public health during 2013.

The annual Liaison Meeting between REHIS and

the FSA took place on 15 August, it was agreed that

the existing Statement of Intent between the two

organisations continued to be appropriate and that it

would be reviewed again in around 18 months. This

would fit with the establishment of a new food body

for Scotland, which is expected to take on the current

functions of the FSA in Scotland in Spring 2015. A

significant component of liaison between FSA and

REHIS continues to be through their joint membership

of the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee.

This forum continues to provide strong partnership

across a wide range of stakeholder groups with

interests in protecting consumer safety and health in

relation to food.

FSA grant to support practical training

The FSA provided a further £20,000 discretionary grant

for REHIS, working in partnership with the Society of

Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland, to

disburse to local authorities to support their work in

maintaining sufficient training placements for trainee

Environmental Health Officers in Scotland.

Secondary schools in Scotland: Food Hygiene

training initiative

The success of this initiative continues; the FSA

provides funding via REHIS for all course materials,

exam papers and certificates for both the Elementary

and Introduction to Food Hygiene Courses. Secondary

school pupils are given the opportunity to gain a

nationally recognised REHIS qualification. The schools

are approved by REHIS to deliver the Elementary and

Introductory Food Hygiene Course to pupils aged 13-18

years inclusive. In 2013-14 approximately 15,000 pupils

participated in the Elementary and Introductory Food

Hygiene training.

For 2014-2015 the FSA has continued to make

funding available to Scottish secondary schools,

Special Educational Needs Units and Secure Units,

with funding set at £94,000 up until March 2015. It is

anticipated approximately 15,000 young people will

complete these REHIS courses during in 2014-15. This

project illustrates an effective partnership approach, in

combining our resources we continue to deliver a real

benefit to thousands of youngsters each year.

FSA funded training for local authorities

FSA continued to provide a comprehensive programme

of training courses and workshops for local authority

enforcement officers and to work with REHIS to

co-ordinate training effort and provide mutual

support in this important area of work.

Trainee Environmental Health Officer workshop

at FSA, St Magnus House, Aberdeen

During October 2013, FSA hosted a training workshop

attended by trainee Environmental Health Officers who

are completing their practical training programme.

Professor Charles Milne


Food IssuesHorsemeat

Following the report issued by the Food Safety

Authority of Ireland earlier this year on the results of

the compositional analysis of routine samples of a

number of beef burgers to check the authenticity or

labelling accuracy, which revealed that some products

contained horse and pig DNA, the Institute issued

a press statement fully supporting the efforts being

made to protect the food chain and keep the public

informed about what is in their food. The Institute also

expressed concern that the sampling budgets within

local authorities were an easy target for cost cutting

and that the current situation highlighted the need

for the continued commitment by Government and

local authorities to adequately resource this important

activity in protecting public health.

New food body for Scotland

The Institute has participated fully in the process of

establishing a new food body for Scotland from the

initial consultation stage to the current project boards.

Members of Council have attended all consultation

events organised by the Scottish Government.

I represent the Institute on the ‘Working with Others’

Project Board with Lorrainne MacGillivray a member of

the working group looking at:

• reviewing existing functions and resource

requirements to carry out functions specified

in project scope

• developing options for the most efficient new

food body structure to carry out and/or co-ordinate

additional functions and support local authorities

• gathering evidence and complete a cost-benefit

analysis of the options by working with representative

bodies such as the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison

Committee (SFELC).

This workshop was designed to provide an introduction

to the work of the FSA in Scotland for officers

embarking on their career in Environmental Health.

In addition to this programme of work the

FSA endeavours to support REHIS wherever possible

in the delivery of both the REHIS Food Update and

the REHIS trainers’ seminars; by providing expert

speakers and contributing to the promotion of these

important events.

During March 2013, FSAS was delighted to be able to

fund the launch of the new REHIS Intermediate Level

Controlling the Risk of Cross Contamination course

at an event which brought together REHIS registered

food hygiene trainers and local authority enforcement

officers. This event proved to be very popular with

positive feedback from both parties. In particular,

the REHIS trainers commented on how useful it

had been to be able to discuss cross contamination

and compliance issues directly with local authority

enforcement officers. This event included presentations

and table top case study exercises based on the

materials for the new course. The FSA hopes to be able

to continue support the important work of the regional

REHIS centres’ training activities.

In conclusion FSA values the partnership and

collaborative working relationships developed

with REHIS and looks forward to future successful

partnership working and collaboration in order to better

protect public health in Scotland.


Scotland has a unique reputation within the

‘enforcement community’ of working well with all

constituent parts and producing effective working

structures and guidance and hopefully this will be

transferred into the new set-up.

Other representation

Apart from the proposed new food body, the Institute

has given evidence to committees in relation to

‘Lessons to be learned following the horsemeat

incident’ and ‘Better Regulation - street trading’. It also

provided a representative to the ‘Controlling the risk

from cross contamination guidance review group’,

being organised by FSA, reviewing the current FSA

guidance document. The review group comprises

representatives from all four home countries as well

as consumer and commercial interests. It is probably

fair to say that the scale of the group ensures that no

decisions are taken quickly and there is a concern that

the ultimate guidance document will be unwieldy and

far from user friendly. This concern has been expressed

but it is not clear if it will be taken on board.

Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee

The Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee

(SFELC) is a multi-agency body, which includes

representatives from the enforcement sector, the

business/industry sector, Scottish Government and

consumers.

Catherine Brown, the new FSA Chief Executive,

attended SFELC during the course of the year and

praised its work along with the excellent collaborative

working within the Scottish food community.

During the year the committee received

presentations on:

• The proposed new food body for Scotland

• The proposed Regulatory Reform Bill

• The Scottish Food and Drink Federation’s

re-formulation programme

• FSA Audit Programme in Scotland

• Updates on the work programmes relative to the

Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Committees of SFELC also produced:

• ButcherSafe

• Approved Establishments Guidance

• National Standards for Street Traders

• Sampling and Surveillance Working Group Report

•Updated SFELC Membership and Working

Arrangements

• SFELC Annual Report.

The Resources Working Group continued to meet and

covered a wide range of topics, including:

• A Scottish Framework Agreement

• Updating the Effective Sampling Guidance

• The way forward, following confirmation that CoSLA

will no longer fund the LACORS/LGA system

• A common data standards and IT requirements

• Audit Advisory Committee discussions on accuracy of

‘full time equivalent’ staff numbers

•General Charging in relation to the Better

Regulation agenda

• Concern about attendance at Liaison Groups and

the appropriateness of the representatives sent to

the groups. It was agreed that the Society of Chief

Environmental Health Officers in Scotland should

send personnel to the liaison groups to give guidance,

support and encouragement with a view to

reinvigorate them

• Training Strategy

•Export Certificates.

The enforcement of food law, both food hygiene and food standards, in Scottish local authorities is undertaken exclusively by environmental health professionals – Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and Food Safety Officers.


Legionnaires’ disease

The end of June saw an outbreak of Legionnaires’

disease in the Renfrew area. NHS Greater Glasgow and

Clyde’s public health protection unit investigated the

incident together with the Health and Safety Executive,

HPS and local authority partners. Investigations

included visiting all water cooling towers within a 6km

radius of the homes of the confirmed Renfrew cases.

Water cooling towers in these areas were proactively

treated with chemicals that kill the Legionella bacteria.

Samples were taken, however due to the complex

laboratory processes used to confirm or identify

Legionellae, the results of these samples will not be

known for some time.

Legionella longbeachae (L.longbeachae)

L.longbeachae is an unusual form of Legionella.

The major source of human infection is considered to

be commercial growing media and other composted

materials. HPS has had an ongoing involvement

in supporting a number of NHS boards and local

authorities in the investigation of a recent cluster of

L.longbeachae. In the period August-September, six

confirmed cases and one probable case were reported.

Due to cases being identified in two NHS boards, the

investigation was co-ordinated by HPS. A report on this

investigation will be published in 2014.

On 12 September we published the report ‘Increased

incidence of Legionnaires’ disease caused by

Legionella longbeachae in Scotland’. This report covers

epidemiological, microbiological and environmental

investigation, as well as risk assessment and

recommendations. A wide range of professionals

had input to this including public health specialists,

Environmental Health Officers, microbiology specialists

and experts from SEPA and the soil industry.

Health Protection ScotlandThroughout 2013, Health Protection Scotland (HPS)

continued to work closely with NHS boards, local

authorities and national agencies to protect and

improve health in Scotland by offering expert advice

on a range of health protection related issues. We

recognise Environmental Health as being core to

the protection of human health and consider the

Environmental Health community to be a key partner

in this.

Organisational change

On 1 June, HPS merged with the Information Services

Division (ISD) as a result of organisational change

within NHS National Services Scotland. The aim of

this development is to provide stronger public health

insight and support by bringing together our public

health expertise, statisticians, epidemiologists and

information experts.

VTEC/E.coli O157 Action Plan

HPS co-ordinated the production of this plan on behalf

of Scottish Government, involving partner agencies

including representation from REHIS. Setting out

86 recommendations, it is designed to tackle

VTEC/E.coli O157 infection in Scotland. A number of

HPS staff are on the Action Group and will be liaising

with Scottish Government to disseminate key findings

for stakeholders and oversee the implementation of

recommendations during the coming year.


The report makes various recommendations about

control measures, in particular whether bags of growing

media should be labelled with a warning on how to

avoid possible exposure to the organism.

In 2014 HPS will be supporting the Health Protection

Network with the update of the ‘Guidance on

Management of Legionella Incidents, Outbreaks and

Clusters in the Community’, due to be republished in

September. The experiences and lessons learned from

recent outbreaks of Legionella will help to inform the

review of the guidance document.

Air quality and mortality in Scotland

Public Health England (PHE) is scheduled to publish

a report on the estimated impact of air pollution

on mortality levels across the UK in Spring 2014.

In preparation for the publication of this report,

HPS has worked with the Society of Chief Officers

of Environmental Health in Scotland, Scottish

Government, SEPA, NHS Health Scotland, NHS boards,

PHE and Ricardo-AEA to prepare a briefing document

to support local authorities in responding to requests

for interpretation of local data. HPS will share the

briefing document with colleagues in local authorities

to coincide with the release of PHE’s report.

Further information on Health Protection Scotland can

be found at www.hps.scot.nhs.uk.

Healthcare Environment InspectorateThe Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) is part

of Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Since being

established in September 2009, we have carried out

over 140 inspections to hospitals across Scotland.

In this inspection year (September 2012-September

2013), we carried out 35 inspections, 32 of which

were unannounced.

Our inspections look at the infection prevention

and control systems and processes in place at ward,

department and NHS board level to see how these

ensure a safe and clean environment for patients.

We are a non-regulatory body but we make

requirements or recommendations to help NHS

boards identify where they need to raise standards to

improve the cleanliness in hospitals or services.

Should NHS boards not implement any of our

requirements we have the ability to escalate our

concerns to the Scottish Government.

In September 2013, we also started inspecting

community hospitals. Community hospitals provide

care that bridges the gap between the acute hospital

and home. These inspections have the same focus and

same skill mix within the teams as our inspections to

acute hospitals. This includes inspectors with NHS and

non-NHS backgrounds, including environmental health.

As with our acute hospital inspections, we continue to

have trained volunteer members of the public with us

to help gather the views of patients in hospital.


As well as producing local reports after each inspection,

we produce an annual report summarising our findings

from a national perspective. We published this year’s

annual report in February 2014.

Our Chief Inspector talks in this report about the good

progress we have found in the standard of cleanliness,

hygiene and infection control in hospitals over the last

four years.

However, we have found recurring issues with:

• poor standards of cleanliness of patient equipment

• poor hand hygiene

• poor management of waste (domestic and clinical)

and linen

• poor use of personal protective equipment (such as

aprons and gloves) by staff.

Our Chief Inspector makes two important

recommendations in this year’s annual report

to be taken forward nationally:

• NHS boards need to look at the systems and staffing

in place for cleaning patient equipment. Good

examples exist in other healthcare systems where

dedicated patient equipment teams and equipment

stores ensure patient equipment is clean and ready

for use.

•The standards we inspect against, the NHS Quality

Improvement Scotland healthcare associated

infection (HAI) standards, are several years old.

We will work with our colleagues in the wider

organisation, Healthcare Improvement Scotland,

to ensure these are updated. Patients should

understand what they should expect in terms of

good quality care for cleanliness, hygiene and

infection control, regardless of what acute or

community setting they are receiving care and

treatment in. The standards also need to provide

clear guidance to the NHS boards on what the public

should expect from their hospital or service.

We will continue to carry out a minimum of 30

inspections each year to both acute and community

hospitals across Scotland. We will focus on inspecting

hospitals and services that are in most need of support

to improve the quality of their cleanliness, hygiene

and infection control. We are also currently testing

an inspection planning procedure to help us identify

our inspection priorities and where we target our

inspections.

If you would like to read more about us and our work,

local inspection reports and our annual report for

2012–2013 are available on our website:

www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org

Health and Safety Executive2013 saw the launch of the ‘National Local Authority

Enforcement Code’ (the Code) which was developed

in response to Professor Ragnar Löfstedt’s government

commissioned report ‘Reclaiming health & safety

for all: An independent review of health and safety

legislation’. The report recommended that HSE be

given a stronger role in directing local authorities’

health and safety inspection and enforcement activity.

A public consultation drew several hundred responses

from a range of businesses, trade bodies, unions,

professional bodies (including REHIS) and of course

local authorities.

Elaine Harbour, head of LAU delivered a presentation at

the REHIS Annual Conference, discussing the National

Code and putting into context how it fits within the

wider Government’s expectation that only businesses

operating in higher risk areas will face health and safety

inspections. She highlighted how risk-based targeting

made the best use of regulatory resource and needed

competent inspectors who were able to prioritise and

exercise discretion.


The presentation was well received and there seemed

to be a genuine willingness to work towards ensuring

the success of the Code.

Alongside the Code, HSE published a list of high risk

activities in local authority enforced sectors suitable for

proactive inspection. Under the Code, local authorities

should inspect the activities/sectors on the HSE list

or where they have intelligence to suggest a business

is failing to manage its risks effectively. Scottish

authorities are working to meet this requirement of

the Code and are considering the wide range of other

intervention types available to them when preparing

their service plans.

To support local authorities in their implementation

of the Code, HSE published supplementary guidance,

which takes into account several points raised by local

authorities in the consultation. Also, with input from

local authorities through the practitioners’ forum,

LAC 67/2, ‘Targeting local authority interventions’

was revised.

Following joint discussions at HASCOG with the Crown

Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and HSE,

there was recognition that local authority officers do

not routinely submit reports to the Fiscal and a skills

gap may exist. A HASCOG working group was formed

to identify an approach which would allow a core team

of officers to develop their skills and competencies,

enabling them to provide support to their fellow

officers. As a result, an incident investigation response

network was created and the network will work, with

the support of REHIS, to develop training with HSE for

the network members in 2014.

The Legionella programme continued throughout

2013. With support from HSE, local authorities have

been undertaking planned inspection to sites with

evaporative cooling systems. The inspection phase

of the programme is due to finish in March 2014,

and local authorities in Scotland are well on target to

complete all their visits ahead of this date.

In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, HSE is

leading regulation of the construction and overlay

phases with local authorities taking over health and

safety enforcement responsibility for all the sporting

venues during Games time. HSE has been working

throughout 2013 to provide strategic direction and

support to co-regulators by chairing the Health and

Safety Regulators’ Steering Group. This Group considers

high level engagement with the primary duty holder

Glasgow 2014 and is planning co-ordination and

communications during Games time. HSE has offered

advice and specialist support including joint site visits,

where necessary during Games time; this has been

welcomed by the five local authorities involved.

2013 saw the first triennial review of HSE, where the

Cabinet Office requires non-departmental public

bodies (NDPBs) to be reviewed every three years

by their parent department. The review was led on

behalf of DWP by Martin Temple, Chair of EEF - the

manufacturers’ organisation. The review concluded that

all of the HSE’s functions remain necessary and that

it should continue to operate as an NDPB executive.

There was however a number of recommendations

for how HSE should operate in the future, and the

Government intends to publish its formal response to

the review in April 2014.


ASH ScotlandIn 2013 we celebrated ASH Scotland’s 40th anniversary,

marking four decades during which the smoking rate in

Scotland has halved.

We also welcomed the publication of the Scottish

Government’s new tobacco control strategy –

‘Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation’.

REHIS, through its membership of SCOT (Scottish Coalition

on Tobacco), worked hard to influence its development

and directions.

The strategy sets out a five-year plan to counter the harms

caused by tobacco. It also introduced a welcome target for

Scotland to be ‘tobacco free’ for the next generation -

a smoking prevalence of 5% or less by 2034.

It will tackle environmental issues through a range of

measures, including stopping smoking in hospital grounds

and inside prisons and by encouraging councils to prevent

tobacco use in children’s outdoor play areas.

In 2013 we successfully campaigned for a smoke-free 2014

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, meaning children and

other visitors to venues will be able to enjoy a smoke-free

environment at this showpiece sporting event.

We also backed the launch of a public consultation

on whether to ban smoking in cars when children are

present - part of a proposed Members’ Bill in the Scottish

Parliament calling for the restriction to be made law.

In June, REHIS was among those who attended ASH

Scotland’s successful 40th anniversary international

conference, ‘Towards a Generation Free From Tobacco’,

held in Edinburgh.

We continued with our efforts to challenge where

‘health and safety’ is often incorrectly used as a

convenient excuse to stop what are essentially

sensible activities going ahead. Throughout 2013 an

independent panel - the Myth Busters Challenge Panel

scrutinised such decisions.

The Panel is chaired by the HSE Chair Judith Hackitt,

with a pool of independent members who represent a

wide range of interests. This Panel looks into enquiries

regarding the advice given by non-regulators such as

insurance companies, health and safety consultants

and employers and quickly assess if a sensible and

proportionate decision has been made. The Panel

wants to make it clear that ‘health and safety’ is about

managing real risks properly, not being risk averse and

stopping people getting on with their lives.

Throughout 2013 HSE continued to have strong

relationships with local authorities in Scotland on a

number of levels: locally at the four liaison groups; and,

nationally at HASCOG, SoCOEHS and PHASS, and we

look forward to working together throughout 2014.

Sheila Duffy, ASH Scotland’s Chief Executive.


International Federation of Environmental HealthIntroduction

The International Federation of Environmental Health

(IFEH) was founded in 1985 and is a worldwide

organisation promoting environmental health and

disseminating knowledge to Environmental Health

Professionals globally. It provides for a means of

exchange of information and experience and the

discussion between members of environmental health

science and administration. It provides for congresses

and meetings to allow this exchange to happen in

a way that benefits environmental health around

the planet, informing state agencies, governments

and international organisations concerned with


REHIS is a founding member of the IFEH, its European

region the European Federation of Environmental

Health (EFEH) and has supported the Federation from

its inception in 1985 to this day and hopefully for the

foreseeable future. REHIS has seen its members and

representatives hold the posts of President, Press

Relations Officer, Honorary Secretary and Editor to

name but a few.

Membership and governance

Federation membership is truly worldwide, being

transcontinental and intercontinental. Membership

categories range from Full Membership for national

associations representing environmental health,

Associate Membership for organisations with an

Later in the year, in partnership with REHIS, we once again

ran the Crofton Awards for young people.

The Crofton Award recognises existing work groups are

doing to tackle tobacco issues and support young people’s

health and wellbeing and provides funds for youth

groups to develop their tobacco work. The Crofton Best

Newcomer Award goes to the group with the best idea

on how they would like to reduce the harm caused by

tobacco in their area.

At a presentation ceremony at the Scottish Parliament,

attended by a number of MSPs, the Crofton Award of

£1,000 was won by Portland High School in Coatbridge,

Lanarkshire, and the Hub Health Drop-in at Kirkcaldy

YMCA in Fife received the Best Newcomer Award of £500.

A key measure that moved forward in 2013 was the

drive for the introduction of plain, standardised tobacco

packaging, which will remove attractive branding and

design features from packets. This is an important initiative

that will help de-glamourise smoking and discourage

young people from taking up the habit. Westminster

announced an independent review of the plain packs

proposal, to report by March 2014, and will decide

whether to bring in legislation across the UK after seeing

its findings. The Scottish Government is committed to go it

alone on plain packs if necessary.

Another developing area in 2013 was the growing

popularity of electronic cigarettes, which provide nicotine

but produce vapour rather than traditional tobacco smoke.

A number of pub chains and other venues have banned

the devices and we have encouraged organisations to

bring in policies on e-cigarette use that are appropriate to

their individual environments, such as whether children

are present.

Finally, I was personally very honoured to be the recipient

of the REHIS Meritorious Endeavours in Environmental

Health Award for 2013.


associated interest including academic bodies,

regional associations and NGOs. Academic bodies

can be part of the Federation’s Academic Forum

and Individual Membership is open to Environmental

Health Professionals.

The current Presidency will change hands at the World

Congress on Environmental Health in Las Vegas in

July this year. The President Elect, Henning Hansen

from Denmark will take over the reins and REHIS

looks forward to working with Henning to ensure a

productive and vibrant period for the IFEH, REHIS and

its members.

The IFEH governance structure includes a Board of

Directors which is made up of the President, President

Elect, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, and the five

Regional Chairs. Board meetings are held 2-3 times a

year, usually by teleconference and work on matters

of governance and strategy. The Federation has its

five operational regions of Africa, the Americas, Asia

and Pacific, Europe and Middle East. These regions

are going from strength to strength and worldwide

membership continues to grow in each of the

membership categories. The Americas Regional Group

has been enjoying a resurgence since 2012, so much so

that it will host the World Congress in Las Vegas in July

2014. This is undoubtedly a milestone for the Americas

and REHIS commends them on what is set to be a

packed, educational and spectacular event.

Meetings and initiatives

The IFEH holds its Council meeting and AGM annually

and every two years holds a World Congress. The IFEH

will host its Annual IFEH Council and Regional Group

meetings, the IFEH AGM and the IFEH International

Faculty Forum for academics and students from

5 to 10 July in connection with the World Congress

in Las Vegas.

This 13th IFEH World Congress, presented in

partnership with the National Environmental Health

Association (NEHA) 2014 Annual Education Conference

and Exhibition, is set to bring together the latest

innovations and unique responses to environmental

health and protection problems. There are more

than 20 different environmental health topics being

covered through educational lectures, hands-on

demonstrations, tabletop exercises, panel discussions,

poster presentations, roundtable discussions and new

interactive and innovative presentation formats. REHIS

is providing some financial assistance to support the

attendance of a Malawi representative in Las Vegas.

World Environmental Health Day

World Environmental Health Day is scheduled for

26 September each year. The IFEH incepted World

Environmental Health Day in 2011 in Bali and it has

been celebrated worldwide each year since. REHIS

along with its fellow IFEH members will continue to

support this important annual event.

Conclusion

As a founding member of the IFEH, REHIS will

continue to support it and its Regional Groups. REHIS

remains committed to protecting and improving

health through its interactions with the Federation, its

partners and affiliates, and looks forward to sharing and

disseminating environmental health knowledge and

public health activities at all the events in Las Vegas and

in the years to come.

‘Working to disseminate knowledge covering

Environmental Health and to promote co-operation

between countries where Environmental Health issues

are transboundary’


Appendix 1

Members of the REHIS

Council 2012/2013

President: Bernard Forteath

Senior Vice-President: Colin Wallace

Junior Vice-President: Martin Keeley

Past President:s Paul Bradley Alistair Thomson

Centre Chair (Northern): Patricia Sheldon

Centre Secretary (Northern): Bob Drummond

Centre Chair (Southern): Drew Hall

Centre Secretary (Southern): David Duffy

EHO (NORTH): OTHERS:

John Love Christine Fraser

Christine Morrison Raymond Hubbocks

Graham Robertson Wendy Barrie

Sandy Fraser Martin Henry

Sarah MacLeod-Bonnar

EHO (SOUTH):

Brian Lawrie

Lorrainne MacGillivray

John Sleith

Evonne Bauer

George McCracken

Alan Morrison

Heather Dick

George Fairgrieve OBE

Linda Kain

Appendix 2

Institute staff

Chief Executive: Tom Bell

Director of Training: Graham Walker

Director of Professional Development: Robert Howe

Training Advisers: Ian McGruther

Dr Jane Bunting

Appendix 3

Fellows of the Institute

From left to right: Robert Drummond, Clare Ireland & Alasdair MacEachen receiving their Fellowships.

Kofi Aidoo

Tom Bell

John M Beveridge

Paul Bradley

David J Cameron

Elizabeth S Corbett

John F Crawford

Robert Drummond

George M Duffus

George Fairgrieve OBE

Robert P Findlay

Bernard J Forteath

Fellowships are awarded to Ordinary Members deemed

to have rendered outstanding and distinctive service

to the Institute.

Clare Ireland

Martin D Keeley

Brian Kelly

Angus Lowden OBE

Alasdair MacEachen

Eoin MacLure

George McCracken

Keith McNamara

George P Morris

Gilbert Robertson

Graham Robertson

John Sleith

Richard A Sprenger


Christine Fraser Kenneth Stewart

John W B Frater John R Stirling

Charles Gibson John P Summers

Michael Halls Alexander S Taylor

Martin G Henry James A Thomson

Patrick Hoey R Graham Walker

Roderick D House Colin Wallace

Robert Howe David G Watson

Appendix 4

Honorary Members

of the InstituteHonorary Memberships are awarded to members

deemed to have made a distinguished contribution

to the field of Environmental Health.

James Fallens Dr Anthony Grimason

Robert P Findlay Michael Halls

Bernard J Forteath Eoin MacLure

John R Stirling

Appendix 5

Honorary Vice-Presidents

of the Institute

George Georgallas Young Samanyika

Kenneth Macintosh MSP John Scott MSP

Stewart Maxwell MSP Dr Jim Smith

Ann Marie Part

Appendix 6

Recipients of the Award for

Meritorious Endeavours in

Environmental Health

This award was introduced in 2006 to recognise

the efforts/achievements of individuals and their

contributions in the context of environmental health.

Recipients:

2006 Stewart Maxwell MSP

2007 Ken Macintosh MSP

2008 Dr Harry Burns

2009 Dr Tracy Morse

2010 Professor T Hugh Pennington

2011 Professor Jim McEwen

2012 Peter Midgley

2013 Sheila Duffy

Sheila Duffy receiving her award from President, Bernard Forteath


SFSORB Higher Certificate in

Food Premises Inspection

Jane Docherty

Juliana Teixeira

SFSORB Higher Certificate in

Food Standards Inspection

Dawn Parks

Alistair Orr Award for the

Best Final Year Student at the

University of Strathclyde

Pamela Fraser

REHIS Award for the Best MSc

Student at the University of

Strathclyde

Cameron McAuley

Appendix 7

Annual Awards Ceremony 2013

Award of Fellowship of the

Royal Environmental Health

Institute of Scotland

Robert Drummond

Clare Ireland

Alasdair MacEachen

Award for Meritorious

Endeavours in Environmental

Health

Sheila Duffy

REHIS Diploma in

Environmental Health

Robert Bowditch Fiona Chapman

Brian Gallacher Ralph N McAleer

Cameron McAuley Hannah J McMorran

Ann Marie Murray David Andrew Strang

Anthony W Taylor David Wilcox


John Merrylees Award for the

Best Final Year Project at the

University of Strathclyde

Pamela Fraser

Graeme Lindop

A M M Connell Award for the

Best EHO Student at the REHIS

Professional Examinations

Hannah McMorran

Iain McDonald Award for

the Best EHO Student in the

Occupational Health and Safety

Programme Area at the REHIS


Anthony Taylor

FSA Scotland Award for the Best

Candidate in the Food Safety



Hannah McMorran

FSA Scotland Award for the

Best Candidate in the Food

Standards Programme Area

at the REHIS Professional

Examinations

Robert Bowditch

Health Protection Scotland

Award for the Best

Environmental Health Officer

Student in the Public Health



Hannah McMorran

REHIS Journalism Award

Hannah Rodger


The President’s Award

This award was is presented annually to an individual or

organisation who has/which has significantly contributed

to the improvement and protection of health and

wellbeing in Scotland through their/its activities in the

Institute’s Community Training activities.

The Engine Shed, Edinburgh Marian MacDonald

Highfield Award for Advanced

Food Hygiene

Vicky Paterson Winner

Margery McBain Runner up

Highfield Award for

Intermediate Food Hygiene

Anna Frankowsla Winner

Matthew Ward Runner up

Highfield Award for

Intermediate Health and Safety

Valerie Nicolson Winner

Robbie Simpson Runner up

Highfield Award for

Intermediate HACCP

Practices Certificate

Anne Dolan Winner

Highfield Award for Certificate

in Advanced Health and Safety

Irene Robertson Winner


Appendix 8

Chartered Environmental Health Officers

The following Environmental Health Officer members have been designated as Chartered Environmental Health Officers:

William R Anderson

Brian Auld

Sheila M Baird

Anthony P Barker

Evonne M Bauer

John N Bell

Tom Bell

Alan J Bentley

Lynne M Bissett

Philip Bloomer

Kevin Boyle

Paul Bradley

Aileen A Brodie

David W Brown

Gordon Brown

Claire Burrows

Kathryn Cairns

Valerie Cameron

Charlotte Cannon

Andrea Carson

Ann J Connolly

Carrie Cooper

David A Cooper

Graeme G Corner

Maria Corrigan

Catriona Cowan

Andrew Crawford

Lynn Cree

Alasdair Cruickshank

Louise Cunningham

Christopher Dalrymple

Ann Dalziel

Elaine R Davies

Claire Devlin

Helena Dewar

Alastair Dewart

Martin Diamond

Heather Dick

Philip J S Dinsdale

Neil A Doherty

Nicola J Donegan

Andrew M Douglas

Rhona Douglas

David Duffy

Veronica Duncan

Ruth A M Ewing

George P Fairgrieve OBE

Lyn Farmer

Isabel M Fellowes

Jake Fenton

Ailsa J Findlayson

James G Flynn

David Forrest

Bernard J Forteath

Peter Fowler

Kevin Freeman

Brian Friel

Steven Glass

Lynsey Glover

Helen Gordon

Alan H Gow

Lindsey E Green

Martin R Hall

Drew Hall

Fiona M Hamilton

Joseph Harkin

Stephen Harold

Silke Hattenhauer

Carol Heaton

Patrick Hoey

Robert C Howe

Coila Hunter

David Hunter

Andy Hurst

John Hutchison

Clare Ireland

Ailsa Johnson

Gillian M Johnston

Gordon Jorgensen

Linda Kain

Louise Kearns

Karen Keeley

Martin D Keeley

Paul Kerr

Michael Kibaris

Stuart J Kinghorn

John W Laird

Kenneth A Lang

Michael Lapsley

Gordon Lauder


Bye-Law 8.3A allows members or Fellows who are Chartered Environmental Health Officers the privilege of using the

designatory letters ‘Ch.EHO MREHIS’ or ‘Ch.EHO FREHIS’. REHIS is the only organisation able to confer ‘Chartered EHO’

status and only REHIS members can be described as Chartered Environmental Health Officers.

Lilianne Lauder

Sharon Lauder

Andrew Law

Brian Lawrie

Elaina J Leach

John M Lee

Lesley Lees

Sharon I Lindsay

John Love

Lorna Lynch

Ruth S Macaskill

Gregor MacCormick

Lorrainne MacGillivray

Donald Mackay

Norina MacPhail

Moira Malcolm

Dawn Manson

Anna Martin

J Lindsay Matthew

Lisa McCann

Iain R McCluskey

Alan McCormick

George McCracken

James McGibbon

Ian D McGruther

Emma McGuinness

Karen McIndoe

Rachel McInnes

Donna McIntosh

Jim McIntyre

James G McLennan

Martin McNab

Lindsey-Anne McNeil

Margaret J McWhinnie

Eilidh S Meechan

Peter J Midgley

Margaret Moir

Crawford Morgan

Alan Morrison

Christine Morrison

Irene B Morrison

Richard Mowat

Matthew Murdoch

John E Murray

Alexander S Ness

Briony Norris

Karen A O’Dell

Derek A Oliver

Pamela Palmer

Barry Parkins

Nicola A Paton

Gordon A Pollock

W Graham Pollock

Fiona Prentice

Christopher Ratter

Lorna J Reid

Leigh B Richardson

Graham Robertson

Ian S Robertson

Mark Robertson

Mary Robertson

Iain Rodgers

Brian Seditas

Alasdair N Sharp

Patricia M Sheldon

Forbes Shepherd

Crawford Sibbald

Karen A Sievewright

Zoe Skinner

John W Sleith

Lynn S Slight

Craig H Smith

Emilie L Smith

Matthew Smith

Eleanor Smyth

Patrick Smyth

Craig Somers

Alana C Steven

Andrew B Stewart

Roy Stewart

Janet M Stitt

Sharon E Stitt

Rachael Stobbs

William S I Stobie

Marion T Summers

Alan R Tait

Paul L Todd

Paul Turner

Lorna R Twynam-Perkins

Christine M Walker

Kirsty Walker

Colin R Wallace

Rowenna Wallace

Mark Walsh

Diane Ward

James S White

Linda A Will

Stephen A Williamson

Alan Yates

Christina Yildirim

Andrew R Young


Appendix 9

Scottish Local Authority Environmental

Health Staffing Statistics

As a result of a Freedom of Information request to all 32 Scottish local authorities

by Stewart Maxwell MSP the following staffing statistics were obtained:

16 September 2011

16 September 2012

16 September 2013

Environmental Health Officers

507 492.5 482

Food Safety Officers 84 83.5 80

Technical Support Staff 467 469 429

Note: The number of Environmental Health Officers employed within Scotland’s

local authorities has fallen from 677 in 1985 to 482 in September 2013.

The Institute records its gratitude to Stewart Maxwell MSP for requesting this

information and for collating the statistics on which the above report is made.

.


List of Contributors: Organisations and Names Tom Bell, Chief Executive, REHIS

Bernard Forteath, President, REHIS

Robert Howe, Director of Professional Development, REHIS

Graham Walker, Director of Training, REHIS

Graham Robertson, Council’s representative, Health and Safety Co-ordinating Group

Brian Lawrie, Honorary Secretary, The Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland

Clare Ireland and Peter Midgley, Food Standards Agency Scotland

George Fairgrieve OBE, Council’s representative, Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee

Environmental Public Health Team, Health Protection Scotland

Susan Brimelow, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Environment Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement

Scotland

Tracy McTaggart, Local Authority Unit, Health and Safety Executive

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive, ASH Scotland

Martin Keeley, Council’s representative, International Federation of Environmental Health


Core Values and VisionREHIS is established to promote the advancement of Environmental Health for

the benefit of the community. Environmental Health embraces all aspects of

public health, hygiene and safety in all or any of their branches.

In particular the Institute aims to promote:

• improvements to the environment which can have a positive impact on

public health or safety

• safe and healthy housing

• an environment which is safe and prevents harm to human health

• good standards of occupational health, safety and hygiene

• food which is safe, wholesome and accurately described

• sustainability, locally, nationally and internationally

• effective education and training to ensure environmental health standards

are maintained and improved

• the resolution of health and environmental health inequalities

• equitable, practical and consistent regulation and enforcement

• high standards of professional training and conduct amongst Environmental

Health Officers and others engaged in maintaining and promoting

environmental health.


About REHISThe Institute was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 16th February 1983, to give

effect to the amalgamation of The Royal Sanitary Association of Scotland and The Scottish Institute of

Environmental Health. The Institute was Incorporated by Royal Charter on 8th March 2001, following

which the Company was wound up.

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, Number

SC009406.

The objects for which the Institute is established, contained in Article 3 of the Charter, are for the

benefit of the community to promote the advancement of Environmental Health by:

a. stimulating general interest in and disseminating knowledge concerning Environmental Health;

b. promoting education and training in matters relating to Environmental Health; and

c. maintaining, by examination or otherwise, high standards of professional practice and conduct

on the part of Environmental Health Officers in Scotland.

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland is an independent and self-financing

organisation. It neither seeks nor receives grant aid. The Institute’s charitable activities are funded

significantly by the subscriptions received from its members.

The Institute’s affairs are managed by a Council which is elected by members. The Royal

Environmental Health Institute of Scotland is a founding member of the International Federation of


The Institute frequently uses the acronym: REHIS®.

REHIS and the Crest device are registered trademarks of The Royal Environmental Health Institute

of Scotland.

Council of REHIS

Management Committee

Examinations and Professional

Standards Committee

Environmental Health Promotion

Committee

Membership, Education and

Training Committee

Scottish Food Safety Officers’

Registration Board

Health and Safety Co-ordinating GroupScottish Pollution Control Co-ordinating Committee

Public Health and Housing Working GroupFood Safety Working Group

Sustainable Development Working Group


For further information on Environmental Health

Please contact:

The Chief Executive

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

19 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HX

Tel: 0131 229 2968

Fax: 0131 228 2926

Website: www.rehis.com

E-mail: [email protected]

The Royal EnvironmentalHealth Institute of ScotlandThe Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

is a registered Scottish charity, Number SC009406.

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