Thanks Andrew,

I'm not sure everyone in the (wider) PH community would share your optimism about the effects of the changes on PH practice. Time old talk about prevention has to be translated into (funded) delivery and many LAs have fallen back to doing what they are legally required to, then a little extra if they have the resources. So many voices have been silenced or affected (made redundant, early retired, move to other sectors) since the start of the recession. I'm simply making the point that it may be a good time for the HIA community to take stock (shame we don't have a conference) and look at the potential negatives as well (pardon the obvious pun!).

After campaigning for the introduction of a health assessment requirement in the NPPF and NPS, I still think we need to continue to campaign for a broad approach to health. Not sure the criticisms of EA that I heard about as a planning student back in the 90s have been addressed (developer pays bias, narrow/risk based approach to health), and new generations can benefit from the lessons of the past.

All the best, Andy.

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Buroni [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 29 January 2015 16:17
To: Pennington, Andy; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Scottish Government moratorium on unconventional gas extraction

Hi Andy

	The Scottish moratorium pretty much sums up to: 

	- additional consultation being implemented to further gauge people's views, opinions, concerns and opportunities;
	- a similar exercise to the Public Health England review to investigate the potential risks from UK practice and the regulations in place to address the known hazards to prevent risk 	(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/shale-gas-extraction-emissions-are-a-low-risk-to-public-health); and 
	- if gaps are identified in the regulatory assessment and permitting process, they will be reinforced, as will the information required to address community concerns.

In short, there isn't actually much in there hasn't already been done at the policy level, or that isn't already done at the project level (through scoping with regulatory authorities, during consultation with communities and stakeholders or through the planning and permitting process).  

I am keen to see the HIA they mention, I anticipate it to build off the back of Public Health England's position on the subject, but given that it is to cover all unconventional gas, it may also draw from the actual practice and track record we have in the UK.  

Regarding your question on how the HIA community has changed. While there are a number of factors that have influenced HIA, the greatest has been public health responsibility falling back to local authorities, coupled with the recession and austerity measures.  Realisation that the concept of prevention and health promotion is not only more ethical and better than cure, but far far cheaper, and that directors of public health can now have a greater influence on decision making has meant that we now have a formal health assessment requirement in both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the National Policy Statement (NPS).  

This has had a profound influence on public health responsibility within the public and private sector and as a result on HIA. We are now seeing residential development HIA not only assess construction impacts, but appraise their applications for healthy urban design features that support local health objectives.  They are actively competing on which one will facilitate the healthier and more cohesive community, and even include features that will enable people to live independently in good health for longer, delaying the onset of poor health and the need for residential or nursing care.  This does however require HIA practitioners and their assessments to be fully aware and integrated with the regulatory assessment process, and must stand the same level of scrutiny.  

I believe this is what you meant by the growth in commercial HIA.  However, it isn't a case of commercial HIA influencing practice, but quite the reverse, in that the standards and rigour now demanded of HIA have led to its further development and practice in mainstream environmental and planning consultancies.  

Ten years ago, the buzz word for HIA was to "mainstream" it, and give it the same influence on planning and decision making as the other regulatory assessments. We are finally on the cusp of this, and have never been in a better position to facilitate health conscious decision making.  The next step is to get HIA into the EIA and planning syllabus, and finally have planners that fully appreciate the full remit of public health, and vice versa. 

This has undoubtedly influenced the size and structure of the HIA community, as new faces and new approaches continue to evolve practice, but I don't regard this a bad thing, and come my time, I will more than happily step aside for the next generation. 


	
__________________________________________________________________________________________	

Dr Andrew Buroni	
Associate, Health and Social Impact Assessment Practice Lead - RPS Planning & Development	
6-7 Lovers Walk,	
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United Kingdom	
Tel:     +44 (0) 1273 546 800	
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-----Original Message-----
From: Health Impact Assessment - International [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pennington, Andy
Sent: 28 January 2015 20:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Scottish Government moratorium on unconventional gas extraction

Thanks Andrew. 

Sounds like an eminently sensible approach. Let's hope it translates into equally sensible action.

Trying to take a step back and look at the big picture: I note that the makeup of the HIA community has changed in recent times, partly or greatly due to the influence of the recession on priorities, policies and practitioners. I wonder how, for example, a growth in commercial HIA has influenced practice. 

All the best, Andy.


> On 28 Jan 2015, at 18:30, Andrew Watterson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> The Scottish Government moratorium will be on all unconventional gas extraction (UGE) including fracking and coal bed methane but not necessarily underground coal gasification. It will look at the energy, environmental and health impacts of UGE.
> The Scottish Energy minister will:-
> * Undertake a full public consultation on unconventional oil and gas 
> extraction * Commission a full public health impact assessment * 
> Conduct further work into strengthen planning guidance * Look at 
> further tightening of environmental regulation.
> 
> Unusual for a government to listen to communities concerned about health and environmental impacts rather than large corporations, corporate lawyers and their consultants. There must be big conflicts of interests here for some people working in HIA who get much of their work from the oil industry.
> 
> It seems the government has adopted a line similar to that taken by the American Public Health Association on fracking and has been suitably impressed by the need for the adoption of the precautionary principle.
> 
> Regards,
> Andrew Watterson
> 
> Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group, School of Health 
> Sciences, RG Bomont Bldg R3T11, University of Stirling, Stirling, 
> Scotland FK9 4LA
> Tel: 01786-466283
> 
> --
> The University of Stirling has been ranked in the top 12 of UK universities for graduate employment*.
> 94% of our 2012 graduates were in work and/or further study within six months of graduation.
> *The Telegraph
> The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.
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