Environmental health services at a crossroads

Environmental health services at a crossroads

Graham Jukes, Chief ExecutiveChartered Institute of Environmental HealthThames Valley Health & Safety Group 13/9/11

• We provide policy support to Ministers on measurement issues and a measurement infrastructure which enables innovation, promotes trade and facilitates fair competition and the protection of consumers, health and the environment -National measurement office

Whose job is it to safeguard the economic & social well-being and health of our society?Trading Standards Institute

The OFT's mission is to make markets work well for consumers. When consumers have choice they have genuine and enduring power.

The prevention of death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activities; HSE

We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment and make it a better place for people and wildlife.

The Food Standards Agency has a statutory objective to protect public health and consumers' other interests in relation to food and drink.

The mission of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is to maintain, enhance and promote improvements in public and environmental health.

Our Respective Missions

Scope of environmental health

Biological StressorsBiological Stressors

ChemicalStressorsChemicalStressors

PhysicalStressorsPhysicalStressors

Social Stressors

Social Stressors

Psychosocial Stressors

Psychosocial Stressors

Contributions of Environmental Health Specialists:

by assessing, correcting and preventing impact of stressors

Living Environment

Home Environmen

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Work Environmen

t

Recreational

EnvironmentR

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men

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healt

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How long will it last?

• Growth rate of 2% - Q3 2013

• Growth rate of 1.5% - Q2 2014

• Growth rate of 1% - Q3 2015

• Even if we have 2% growth from now, worst recession/depression since 19th Century

The whole system?

Four roads, four journeys

1. Common Sense, Common Safety

2. Healthy Lives, Healthy People

3. Govt’s new approach to regulation

4. FSA’s review of official controls

And for environmental health services – they are inter-related

Common Sense, Common Safety:implementing Lord Young’s report

• OSHCR, accredited safety and health consultants register

• On-line tools for low-risk businesses and others

• RIDDOR consultation• Fewer inspections and

more fees and charges

Lofstedt Review

• Positive outcomes

• Unreasonable outcomes

• Gold plating of EU legislation

634 responses to the red tape challenge

Public health in England

• Bill now proceeding into the Lords

• Issues for Govt include NHS, PHE and funding

• Issues for EH include role, regulation and two-tier

• Looking at new amendments

Regulation Services – where do they fit?

• Air quality• Climate change risks• Food safety• Housing conditions• Noise• Public health• Workplace safety,

health and wellbeing

Govt’s attitude: regulation must change• Plenty of rhetoric

• Then came review of duties

• Then red tape challenge

• Next it’s a White Paper

• Co-regulation and partnership

We’ve a lot to offer as the Regulators you can trust

• Inspections – safety and business support

• Earned recognition and “primary authority”

• Managing business relationships

• “Responsibility deals”

Food safety: FSA’s review

• We “won” the first skirmish

• Bound to be affected by Govt’s regulatory reform

• Best for us to link in with both co-regulation and public health

• Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

London Olympics and Paralympics 2012

A joined-up environmental health input:

• Health and safety in construction phase•Impact on safety, diet and sustainable food for workers •Food safety, hygiene, health and nutrition for all visitors

Environmental impact of this global-scale project

Environmental health services at a crossroads

Your comments and questions?

Graham Jukes, Chief Executive, CIEH

G.Jukes@cieh.org

020 7827 5824