The CIEH moves to widen access to membership

Subject: CIEH

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is introducing changes to its membership grades to allow greater access for overseas and UK-based public health professionals.

The move follows increased demand from public health professionals, who have expressed an interest in having a formal association with the CIEH, but are not qualified environmental health practitioners (EHPs). In particular the new initiative has simplified access to the top tier of CIEH membership – Voting membership.

Commenting on this important initiative, Paul Robinson, CIEH Director of Education and Professional Development, said:

“The CIEH is delighted to be able to offer a wider range of membership options to the growing number of people who have demonstrated a strong commitment to public health and to reducing social inequalities.”

“Expanding access to our membership represents a significant milestone for the organisation and our members. We are increasingly seen as a major player on the global environmental and public health stage.”

“We have formed valuable and high profile partnerships with educational institutions overseas, our training qualifications are valued and regarded as a mark of quality and excellence and more of our members are working overseas.

“This has given us the opportunity to spread our influence, increase our profile and promote the work of our members.”

Continuing, Paul Robinson, said:

“In the UK, the CIEH is firmly positioned on the preventative public heath agenda with enormous influence in government, with the public and in the media. With this recognition has a come a groundswell of interest in the CIEH membership among public health professional who are not qualified EHPs.”

“It is right that we should widen access to CIEH membership to embrace new people and the new experience they bring. Having a greater number of members across the world will increase networking opportunities and allow us to be part of a truly international public health organisation that punches above its weight on the national and international stage.”

Notes to editors

• The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is the professional voice for environmental health. It ensures the highest standards of professional competence in its members, in the belief that through environmental health action people's health can be improved
• The CIEH represents over 10,000 members working in the public, private and non-profit sectors. For more information about the CIEH visit www.cieh.org
• For further information please contact Andrew Hamadanian on 0207 827 5922 or email a.hamadanian@cieh.org