Paul Robinson explains the education-related initiatives
that have been taking place within the CIEH throughout the
year
CIEH COMMITTEES/BOARDS
A key concern has been to involve the environmental health profession's
wider membership in the process of decision making. Earlier this
year, members of the CIEH were invited to apply for newly created
positions on the Education and Professional Standards Board and
its supporting committees/boards. At the same time, two new committees/boards
were established as part of the implementation of the strategic
review. An accreditation board was established to work more closely
with the universities and to focus on accreditation and mid-term
reviews at the universities. In addition, the new board will keep
under review the core curriculum for qualifying courses, consider
the accreditation of new courses and any other related issues such
as non-standard entrants to the accredited courses. A membership
committee has been established to focus on membership-related issues,
including admissions to membership, disciplinary proceedings against
members, the operation of CPD compliance panels and matters relating
to the charter, bylaws and regulations of the CIEH. The following
members were appointed:
Education and professional standards board:
- Phil Bentley, a recently qualified EHO and CIEH logbook assessor.
He has assisted with training for assessors on the assessment of
professional competence scheme and is currently working in the commercial
private sector;
- Amy Cairns, a recently qualified EHO, working at Wycombe DC, who
is actively involved in the training of student EHOs and technical
officers training for the EHORB Higher Certificate; and
- Alistair Blunkett, an end-on student EHO undertaking his practical
training with Hull Council, who studied at the University of the
West of England for his MSc.
Education and professional development committee:
- David Williams, a training officer and active member of branch
committees. David is currently head of environmental health services
at Bromsgrove DC and honorary president of the Hereford and Worcester
Branch of the CIEH.
Examination Board:
- Mark Baker, the course director on the environmental health accredited
course at City College, Norwich. He is also a logbook assessor and
professional examinations examiner;
- Paul Brookes, an examiner and moderator for the logbook and professional
examinations as well as an APC assessor. He currently works at Ipswich
BC;
- Colin Hamer, an examiner and APC assessor and member of the professional
examinations working party. Mr Hamer is an environmental health
consultant and ex-member of the CIEH education unit; and
- Janet Higgitt, an academic at Birmingham University, environmental
health MSc. Ms Higgitt is also an external examiner and a subject
reviewer for the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for higher education.
Accreditation Board:
- Tim Hibbert, is an independent management consultant and advisor
to the HSE, Lacots and the LGA; - Alan Whitfield, course director
on the environmental health MSc at Birmingham University who has
been involved with accreditation panels previously.
Membership Committee:
- Barry Brandford, currently chair of Norfolk Branch of the CIEH
and involved in centre and branch activities at all levels; and
- Vacant position - any voting member may apply for appointment
to this last remaining position for 2002. Application should be
sent to the education unit. Further details from Jon Buttolph.
FALLING NUMBERS
Following growing concerns regarding the falling numbers of applications
to accredited environmental health courses, a recruitment task group
(RTG) was established to co-ordinate action to address the issue.
Members of the environmental health profession were invited, through
an article in EHN, to put forward their views on what attracted
them to a career in environmental health, offer any suggestions
they had to attract more recruits, and to put themselves forward
to join the task group. Members include: David Newsum (chairman
and chairman of the education and professional development committee);
John Kirk (chairman of the education and professional standards
board); Janet Szlamp (trustee - Doncaster); Rosemary Lee (member
of education and professional development committee - Wigan); Tony
Lewis (Nottingham Trent University); Stephen Glass (British Airways);
Rob Easton (recently qualified EHO); Julia Fraser (recently qualified
EHO); Paul Robinson (head of education - CIEH); Nick Bannister (education
officer - CIEH); and Sally Jasper (CIEH public relations unit).
In May 2001, the RTG appointed communications and marketing consultants
"Clear" to undertake research into the issue and to advise
the CIEH on an action plan to try and reverse the trend. Clear has
extensive successful experience in proactive public relations and
a wide range of clients within the consumer and charity sectors.
Initial findings of the research were presented to delegates at
the annual conference in Bournemouth during September. The task
group, working in partnership with Clear, is in the process of formulating
a comprehensive plan of action to address the crucial issues which
have been identified. These include the current perception and image
of EHOs, appreciation of career progression and opportunities within
the environmental health field, costs of training to be an EHO,
competition from other career choices and provision of effective
information to career centres.
LOW-COST TRAINING INITIATIVE
In February 2001, a low-cost training task group was established
to develop low-cost training events for members, comprising of:
Martin Hodges (Bristol City Council, training officer); Clive Wadey
(deputy chairman of Council); Steve Miller (trustee); Gary McFarlane
(member of the education and professional development committee);
Terry Moran (academic, Leeds Metropolitan University); Ann Goodwin
(assistant secretary, food policy, CIEH); Mike Garton (assistant
secretary, health and safety policy, CIEH); and John Guild (assistant
secretary, education, CIEH). The primary aim of this initiative
is to seek ways to assist members in achieving their continuing
professional development. Mallard Consultancy has been appointed
to develop the first low-cost training workshops which will be on
the subject of "Achieving compliance". Details have been
sent to centre and branch secretaries for arrangement of local workshops.
The cost should be around £30 for members for the one-day
event and will help members to achieve their CPD requirements at
minimal cost. Further one-day events are planned to be developed
in each of the core disciplines of environmental health.
CHARTERED STATUS
The revised and amended proposals in respect of chartered status
for individual members should now be with centre and branch secretaries.
Consultation with the membership about the proposals is taking place
in November and December this year, and into January 2002. Comments
are invited on the proposals, to be received at Chadwick Court by
20 January 2002. Each member of the CIEH will receive a copy of
the proposals with the December edition of EHJ. Centres and branches
have been requested to hold meetings over the coming few months
to provide an opportunity for members to debate and discuss the
proposals. If the proposals find favour with the membership, it
is hoped that chartered status for individual members will be available
from the beginning of January 2003.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
A new bi-annual, refereed, research journal, dedicated to environmental
health issues, will be launched by the CIEH at the end of this year.
Abstracts from the papers in the research journal will be included
within EHJ. Contact John Guild in the education unit for details
on how to get research published in the new journal, and for information
on the limited funding available to assist members with research
initiatives.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE?... CODENAME: NEW PROFESSIONALS... OUTCOME:
SUSTAINING OUR FUTURE
A special, low-cost event for new professionals was integrated into
this year's CIEH annual conference in Bournemouth, with the aim
of building confidence that new EHOs are entering an exciting, vibrant
and respected profession. Many high profile CIEH speakers lent their
weight and support to the new professionals conference, while other
practitioners gave sessions on their experiences and personal views
on the profession. Delegates gained an insight into the Food Standards
Agency and what it is trying to achieve, how passionate EHOs should
be about housing, why the profession should care about sustainability
and how risk assessment can be applied to a samurai sword and a
cucumber! Participants were encouraged to consider whether work
was more attractive in the public or private sector - which was
a close call - and practical tips on the logbook, taking the CIEH
exams and APC were freely available. There was even time to consider
the requirements of the CPD scheme and look ahead to chartered status
and the opportunities it presents. Six syndicate groups were set
the major task of drafting and designing exhibition panels for recruitment
to the environmental health profession and promotion of its value.
The events in the US on September 11 understandably slowed events
down while the bigger issues were contemplated, but, like the rest
of conference, we knew we had to carry on. The exhibition panels
were outstanding and filled the conference area - one making it
into the daily EHN. Teams also produced and recorded a radio advertisement,
scripted an Eastenders scene, where Ian Beale caused a food poisoning
outbreak, and everyone took part in a version of "The weakest
link". Four contestants - the Mayor of Bournemouth, a long-qualified
chief EHO, a student and a new professional with APC - all battled
to survive. There is no prize for guessing who was the weakest link.
The conference concluded with a rousing recording of a new version
of "Teenage Dirtbag" from one of the delegate groups:
"I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby, why not be an EHO baby!"
If this reflects the rest of the new professionals, then we are
in for an exciting future - new professionals with real passion.
