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A local councillor’s guide
to environmental health
June 2015
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health – June 2015
Environmental health -
a profession that makes a difference
If it affects the health and wellbeing of the These are just some areas where
public, or the stewardship of our natural
necessary and proportionate regulation
environment, the chances are it is the role of
is carried out by EHPs:
environmental health to do something about it.
At local, national and international levels – • Air quality
protecting people from excessive noise, • Carbon emissions
advising Government on food safety, tackling
• Contaminated land
the causes of climate change – Environmental
• Food safety
Health Practitioners (EHPs)* are out there
protecting people and our planet. • Health protection
EHPs work for national regulators like the Food • Housing conditions
Standards Agency, the Health & Safety
• Noise and other nuisances
Executive and the Health Protection Agency.
They work for businesses and other • Pest control
organisations in roles wholly or partly • Pollution control
responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Public health
And many more EHPs work for local authorities
• Smokefree public places
providing regulatory services.
Regulation fulfils a number of public policy • Workplace safety and health and wellbeing
objectives, including public protection, fair
business competition and environmental
stewardship.
In local authorities much of the work of EHPs Our document Environmental Health 2012 – A key
involves the discharge of statutory duties partner in delivering the public health agenda
imposed on local government by Parliament. contained our vision for the contribution of
Many of the powers exercised by EHPs – for environmental health to public health in 2012. This
example, the service of a Stop Notice or an stated:
Improvement Notice or prosecution for a breach “Environmental health practitioners, working
of the law – are given to them by Act of with and alongside other public health
Parliament. professionals, will be key partners in local and
When it comes to public health services, EHPs national efforts to protect and improve the
are the main health practitioners within local health and quality of life of individuals and
government. As such they make a unique communities and to reduce inequalities.”
contribution to the wider public health service. We believe that it is essential that the public health
EHPs have the knowledge, skills, experience workforce is multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral
and level of engagement with their communities and is not limited by professional boundaries.
necessary to provide robust health protection Environmental charities provide another avenue,
and effective promotion of health and wellbeing. working at home or abroad. British-trained EHPs
In the Government’s plans for new public health are taking their skills to developing countries from
arrangements in England, EHPs should Africa to Indonesia, where they make a real
naturally be part of the public health frontline contribution to some of the world’s poorest
workforce. communities.
* In local authorities EHPs are often called Environmental
Health Officers
2 Councillors’ guide: a guide to environmental health services for elected representatives
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health – June 2015
Environmental health -
what we do
EHPs need a wide range of skills and an EHPs work in every sector of our economy and in
understanding of a complex range of issues. every community to keep people healthy and safe
The diagram below demonstrates the diversity and to reduce health inequalities. They contribute
and comprehensive nature of environmental to the local and national economy, specialising in
health services. one or more areas of environmental and public
health practice, as consultants and trainers and
EHPs take responsibility for alleviating all kinds working in central and local government.
of stressors that affect our lives and in all Whether it is a case of tackling a major
settings. outbreak of infection or helping to revive a run-
The education, training and experiences of EHPs down neighbourhood, EHPs are highly valued
make them exceptionally adept at problem- by the communities they serve.
solving, working in partnership with others and It is vital work, satisfying too. It helps improve
seeking holistic solutions. health chances for all, tackle the social
Being able to communicate with a wide range of determinants of ill-health and reduce health
peoples, such as directors of powerful companies, inequalities.
landlords and the local police, is an essential EHPs protect, support and improve the fabric of
quality. our communities and help maintain a level playing
field for good, wealth-creating businesses.
Scope of Environmental Health
Councillors’ guide: a guide to environmental health services for elected representatives 3
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health – June 2015
About environmental health
Climate change Food safety
Climate change is an observable reality. The EHPs protect the public from food poisoning
change under way is impacting on us now and will including serious diseases resulting from E.coli
continue to impact in future years. and Salmonella outbreaks. They lead the way
when it comes to food safety and hygiene as well
Preparing for sudden and unexpected weather as promoting a healthy diet, access to wholesome
incidents, like overwhelming flooding or life- food and sources of food and drink that are secure
sapping heat waves, involves critical and sustainable.
environmental health readiness. So too the need EHPs are involved in tackling food fraud, which
to adjust to new air and water borne diseases, can be very harmful to public safety, economic
new pest threats and exotic diseases brought to development and fair business competition.
our shores by the change in climate. They conduct investigations with the police to
In all probability, the main cause of climate target criminals supplying unfit meat.
change is human activity, particularly our They also teach those on low incomes the basics
propensity to burn carbon fuels. Without change of cookery and nutrition, while the CIEH is a major
in our habits, climate change will go on getting supplier of training products and qualifications for
worse, causing catastrophic harm to future food safety and food hygiene training. All these
generations. We have to mitigate future climate approaches have a bearing on obesity, the quality
change by changing our habits now. of school meals, the effect on anti-social
Greater energy saving efforts, more use of behaviour and many other aspects of daily life.
renewable energy sources, changes in travel
patterns with more walking, cycling and use of Food inspections, in hotels and cafes as well as
public transport, these are some of the solutions hospitals and schools, have as their primary
– and EHPs promote them all. purpose the protection of the public. And
increasingly, public information schemes managed
by EHPs are displaying information about food
Environmental protection hygiene that enables all consumers to make
informed choices.
There is growing public awareness of the science
linking our physical environment and human
health.
The air we breathe, the water essential for so
much of our daily routine, the noise we are
exposed to, the land we build on and cultivate, all
can affect our health. It is the role of EHPs
working in environmental protection to protect us
from potential danger.
EHPs co-ordinate responses to disasters, assess
contamination of sites proposed for new
development and control noise from a variety of
activities. They have good scientific knowledge as
well as technical, communication and arbitration
skills.
4 Councillors’ guide: a guide to environmental health services for elected representatives
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