Out and about with Louise: external engagement (part 2)

Louise continues her blog, providing insight into the external engagement work being supported by our member volunteers, our President and teams within CIEH over recent weeks. 

Northern Ireland Visit

The policy team organised a two-day visit to Northern Ireland (NI) which gave me an important opportunity to meet with key stakeholders and policy makers. I was able to discuss challenges with key stakeholders and advocate for the profession with decision makers in Stormont two weeks after the assembly reformed.

Specifically this engagement involved:

• A presentation on CIEH strategic priorities with EHNI in Derry.
• A meeting with officers from DEARA predominantly to discuss air quality policy and also to discuss port health challenges.
• Meeting with academics at Ulster University.
• Meeting with John Blair MLA, Kellie Armstrong (spokesperson for Communities, including Housing) and Danny Donelly MLA.

The discussion with all NI stakeholders was extremely positive and we agreed to work with John Blair to pose a specific question to the assembly which will advocate for the profession and raise issues in respect of capacity and capability. Our plan is to work with our members in NI to enable this to be evidence and data led in a manner which reflects the value EH brings in both financial and non-financial terms.

Our external engagement work is actively developing. We are working to reach out to new audiences in our bid to create greater visibility for the profession and support our outreach work essential to our priorities in respect of capacity and capability.

EHN

We are in the process of curating two special editions to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Control of Pollution Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act. We are reaching out to members with the theme of “Past, Present and Future” so if you have anything to say or personal anecdotes let us know by emailing [email protected].  

We are pleased to announce that the EHN letters page will return from June. This your opportunity to share your views and thoughts on what you have read in EHN. Letters can be submitted online via the CIEH website. 

Climate and Nature Bill

The Bill requires the UK to achieve climate and nature targets which aligns with our messaging to create a more integrated approach to decision making across people, society, nature, environment and finance. The Bill contains specific targets in respect of air pollution, requires strategy to be adopted in respect of food and water availability and seeks to protect human health.

This is due to receive its 2nd reading in Parliament on 17 May 2024 which is a crucial stage in the legislative process whereby the Bill’s sponsors present the legislation to the House and then espouse the rationale/purpose behind the legislation. This is followed by a debate before finally reaching a vote to determine whether it makes its way to the next stage of the legislative process. There is an opportunity here for us to use the legislative passage of this Bill to raise awareness of environmental health, and to put ourselves on the radar of parliamentarians. This will be a short, sharp campaign all aimed to establish and then build relationships with policy makers during the election year.

Events and conferencing

Events and conferencing is always busy. 2024 is the first year we have begun to tentatively venture back into face-to-face meetings and events.

1 May CIEH partnered with Public Health Wales for an event on special procedures and provided practical training for delegates to understand risks in respect of acupuncture, body piercing, electrolysis and tattooing.

We are delighted to be partnering with The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) on 19 and 20 June for their Annual Conference. This is an exclusive face-to-face event which is free of charge to members and features a varied programme and exhibition. You can book your place now.

By working with partner organisations we are both reaching new audiences and also learning how best to engage as we come back together on a face-to-face basis. We are excited to bring members back together in person and look forward to meeting you at our future events.