Port Health Functions
We are directly responsible for investigating any case of infectious disease and liaise closely with the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Communicable Disease Centre in Controlling Infectious Disease.
Contact Details:
Address: The Port Health Service,
Meridians House,
Meridians Cross ,
7 Ocean Way,
Ocean Village,
Southampton
Postcode: SO14 3TJ
Telephone: 023 8022 6631
Email: port.health@southampton.gov.uk
Fax: 023 8023 3859
Details of service:
We are directly responsible for investigating any case of infectious disease and liaise closely with the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Communicable Disease Centre in Controlling Infectious Disease.
Main Functions
The inspection of ships including cruise ships to ensure hygienic conditions.
The control of infectious disease on incoming vessels and aircraft.
Inspecting food entering the Port, for wholesomeness, fitness and compliance with UK and EU legislation. This includes the management and operation of the EC Borde
Inspection Post where food and animal products from non-EC countries are inspected.
Environmental control including investigating statutory nuisances (i.e. noise, dust and odour problems) in the Port and Dock Estate.
Inspections of food manufacturing, processing and catering establishments within the docks.
Animal import/export control and animal welfare.
Sampling local shellfish beds and monitoring water quality.
Investigating reported sickness concerning passenger arrivals at Southampton Airport and Southampton Docks.
Advising interested parties on EC and UK legislation concerning Port Health and EC statutory controls.
Liaising with customers, government departments and agencies, i.e. DEFRA, CCDC, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Food Standards Agency.
Infectious Disease Control - Shipping/Aircraft
We are directly responsible for investigating any case of infectious disease and liaise closely with the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Communicable Disease Centre in Controlling Infectious Disease. It is a requirement that all cases of infectious disease are notified to us prior to a ship or aircraft arriving at the Port. We undertake investigations based on that information. The aim is to prevent any infectious disease reaching the wider community.
We routinely inspect all types of commercial shipping to ensure appropriate sanitary conditions and hygiene standards are maintained. We undertake over 500 such inspections per year and work closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to ensure international agreements and standards are maintained.
Imported Food Inspections / EC Border Control
Southampton is a designated EC Border Inspection Post, which means that we are approved to inspect and release products of animal origin (meat and fish) into the European Community. We undertake a checking regime to ensure the products of animal origin comply with both European and UK law. Every consignment is subject to documentary, identity and physical checks. In 2005 317 tonnes of produce was rejected for import.
All other food stuffs of non animal origin e.g. peppercorns, coconut, currants, nuts are inspected on a risk assessment basis, being subjected to physical, microbiological and analytical checks as required.
Animal Imports
Animals entering or passing through the UK require a license from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Our role is to verify documentation and ensure that an authorised carrier dispatches the animal to a quarantine facility.
If an animal is to remain on board a vessel without a landing licence, then the vessel is boarded on arrival by an officer, and the Master is served with a legal notice stating that the animal has to remain on board the vessel for the duration of the vessel's stay at the Port.
Environmental Control
The Port Health Service responds to all complaints of noise, smell, dust and smoke, within the dock estate. Officers scrutinise plans and documentation for approval and monitor the water supplies to vessels and aircraft.
Vector Control
All vessels docking in the Southampton Port Authority District are required to be rodent free and in possession of a valid Derat or Deratting Exemption Certificate. Officers are authorised to undertake inspections of vessels to assure the absence of rodents, and issue certificates in accordance with World Health Organisation requirements.
Food Authority
Officers of the Port Health team are responsible for the inspection of the food premises within the dock estate. The dock estate has a wide range of premises from large-scale food factories to small canteens.
The authority also acts as 'home authority' for the large food production factories within the district.
Last updated: 12 January 2007
