ABSTRACT
We all communicate – it is part of being human and we cannot help it – we are constantly sending and receiving messages to those we meet and with whom we have dealings. In addition to verbal forms of communication, there many more subtle communication activities that may be conscious or unconscious, such as expression, gesture, ‘body language’ and non-verbal sounds.2 However, as we all can communicate, we take communication for granted. It is assumed that the natural abilities of an environmental health practitioner are sufficient. In environmental health this is not the case: good intentions and personal experience are more often than not inadequate to rise to the challenges inherent in the EHP’s work, whatever aspect of environmental health in which they may be involved. A frighteningly common set of phrases crops up
in many environmental health reports, investigations, enquiries, reviews and evaluations – in the sections headed deficiencies, action plans, analysis and lessons learned:
lack of communication; communication was poor;
better communication will be necessary; inadequate communication.
