Environmental Health Complaint Management and Investigations
The citizens (in NERHA) play a vital role in the effective application and enforcement environmental health regulations law.
Making complaint help the health authorities to detect public health violations at the community level.
How to effectively complain on a matter affecting environmental/public health
- Perons can visit their local Health Department and lodge a complaint and well as call in to the offices and make a report.
- It is best to make a written complaint addressed to the Medical Officer of Health for the respective parishes.
- Follow -up with health Department to follow- up on the progress of the investigation.
Elements of an Environmental complaint:
If you are writing a complaint to the Health Department ensure that the following information is contained.
An environment Complaint must contain the following elements:
- Date of the Complaint
- Name of the complainant
- Address of complainant
- Conant number/ email
- Nature and details of the complaint
- Location of complaint including significant Land Mark
- Name of alleged offender including alias
- Address of alleged offender
The form may also be used (Get Form Here)
What are you to expect after you make a complaint?
- An investigation for an environmental health related complaint is normally to be initiated within two weeks from receival at the Health Department.
- If the complaint is a valid one, within 30 days of investigation, a resolution is expected however depending on the nature of the complaint, these times may vary.
- If the matter is not resolved the health department may proceed with prosecution of the offender
- A complaint may also be referred to another agency which is deemed the more appropriate authority on the matter.
- Other action may be taken to allow for compliance
- The Health Department is expected to maintain confidentiality at all times while addressing complaints.
Other areas of endeavour in environmental/Public Health
CMS Client Satisfaction Form CMS Complaint Withdrawl Form
Collaborating Agencies
Environmental/public health is not a stand-alone area. It is routinely executed in collaboration with other agencies and disciplines:
|
Areas/Activities |
Other Agencies Involved |
|
Management of Solid Waste |
NSWMA |
|
Sprit licensing Activities |
Spirit Licensing Authority |
|
Regulations and Licensing of Butchers |
Municipal Corporation |
|
Processing of building plans and subdivisions |
Municipal Corporation, NEPA |
|
Regulations of Barbers and Hairdressers trade |
Municipal Corporation |
|
Disaster Response/Management |
Several health disciplines and agencies |
|
General Enforcement of the provisions of the Public Health Act and Regulations |
The Jamaica Constabulary force |
|
Maintaining sound agricultural/animal husbandry practices in communities |
Rural Agricultural Development Agency |
|
Maintaining National Food Safety Standards |
Bureau of Standards |
|
Enforcing standards related to maintaining the equilibrium within the natural environment and prevention pollution. |
National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) |