Useful Links
Health Protection
Scotland
Health Protection Scotland - www.hps.scot.nhs.uk .
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) was established by the Scottish Government to strengthen and co-ordinate health protection in Scotland. HPS came into existence on 11 November 2004.
The Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 Act consolidates and updates the law on public health in Scotland. The Act is available at the Scottish Government website.
Scotland Environmental Health Department
Scottish Government Health Directorates
www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk
Scotland's Health on the Web (SHOW)
www.show.scot.nhs.uk
Scottish Government Rural & Environment Directorate
www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Directorates/ruralandenvironment
Fit for Travel - www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
A public access website provided by the NHS (Scotland). It gives travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK.
Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR) - www.dwqr.org.uk .
The role of Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland was established in the Water Industry Act 2002 to provide an independent check that Scottish Water is complying with the drinking water quality regulations. To allow him to carry out his functions, the 2002 Act provides him with extensive powers to: acquire information, conduct investigations and take enforcement action should this prove necessary. The primary purpose of the regulations is to protect public health and although the regulatory standards are set at precautionary levels, any breach of the standards is taken very seriously.
Private Water Supplies - www.privatewatersupplies.gov.uk
Private water supplies are regulated by local authorities using the Private Water Supply (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Water (Scotland) Act 1980. All private water supplies are required to be registered with the local authority where the source of the supply is located.
UK
Health Protection Agency - www.hpa.org.uk
The Health Protection Agency's role is to provide an integrated approach to protecting UK public health through the provision of support and advice to the NHS, local authorities, emergency services, other Arms Length Bodies, the Department of Health and the Devolved Administrations. The Agency was established as a special health authority (SpHA) in 2003. On 1 April 2005, the Agency was established as a non-departmental public body, replacing the HPA SpHA and the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and with radiation protection as part of health protection incorporated in its remit.
Department of Health - www.dh.gov.uk .
Department of the Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - www.defra.gov.uk .
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) - www.hse.gov.uk
The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive and local government are the enforcing authorities who work in support of the Commission.
NHS Evidence provides access to selected, quality health and social care evidence and best practice. NHS staff with an Athens account can also get free access to paid for journals and databases - www.evidence.nhs.uk/nhs-evidence-content/journals-and-databases.
International
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/Pages/home.aspx
World Health Organisation - www.who.int
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta - www.cdc.gov
Bloodborne Viruses
NHS Grampian Hepatitis C Managed Care Network (MCN) - www.sexualhealthbbvmcn.scot.nhs.uk
AVERT - www.avert.org
Focus on HIV patient information with links to relevant sites
NAM AIDS map - www.aidsmap.com
Detailed information on all aspects of HIV/AIDS, the site is produced by NAM in collaboration with the British HIV Association and the international HIV/AIDS Alliance.
British Liver Trust - www.britishlivertrust.org.uk
Information for patients on hepatitis infections
The Terrence Higgins Trust - www.tht.org.uk
Provides information and advice regarding HIV