South West Environmental Surveillance System

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Background

The South West Environmental Surveillance System (SWESS) is a web-based multi-agency regional pilot for a national environmental system. It is based upon the Scottish Environmental Incident System (SEISS) adapted for use in the South West. SWESS was established in July 2005 and currently 71 participating agencies report environmental events of public health significance into the system.

These agencies include:

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Environment Agency

all Local Authorities

all Ambulance Trusts

all Fire and Rescue Services

all Health Protection Teams

Regional Resilience Team

Food Standards Agency

SWESS collects information relating to actual or potential, acute events or chronic exposures using a standardised data collection form. Incidents reported to the system are validated daily by the Health Protection Agency South West and made available to participants through a password protected website.

Why do we need an environmental surveillance system?

SWESS has great potential to improve both our knowledge and management of environmental incidents with public health importance relating to the coast/waterways. The web-based nature of the system allows all participating agencies to access all reports, posted by any agency, at any time through any internet-enabled PC. The system is simple to use and includes a comprehensive search facility to allow agencies to quickly locate reports of particular relevance in order to aid the management of incidents.

Few incidents are known to more than one agency. SWESS raises awareness between agencies of incidents which have occurred and allows the sharing of good practice. The SWESS network of multiagency partners also encourages cooperation and the building of stronger local relationships between agencies, which will improve incident management. Over time, analysis of the incidents reported to SWESS will identify opportunities for active intervention, prevention, control and policy.

What's happening now?

Between April and June 2006, 44 incidents were reported to SWESS in the period April to June 2006, this was the highest number of incidents reported per quarter. A total of 35 incidents were reported October – December 2005 and 36 incidents reported in January to March 2006. This quarter the average incidents reported per month was 15. The majority of incidents occurred in May (19), with twice the number seen in June (9).

Key results:

36% of incidents were known to only 1 agency.

39% of incidents resulted in an actual exposure to hazardous substances

46% of incidents were leaks and spills

25% of incidents were reported as fires (down from 36% in the previous quarter)

95% of incidents reported were of a chemical nature

84% of incidents were reported as acute incidents

The main route of exposure was inhalation (59%) More information is available in the latest quarterly report (April - June 2006) (HPA, 2006)

Find out more

The latest quarterly SWESS report is available for January - March 2007. It contains the most up to date information and progress with the SWESS pilot.

Previous reports available:

Additional information, including background, past quarterly reports and frequently asked questions is available on the Health Protection Agency's website.

Last update:

Quick links:

Useful links:

South West Environmental Surveillance System

Background

Why do we need an environmental surveillance system?

What's happening now?

Find out more