HC Deb 29 June 1961 vol 643 cc645-6
20. Mr. Gough

asked the Minister of Education what steps he takes to secure that liaison exists between his medical officers and doctors in the general health service.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Kenneth Thompson)

The main function of the Ministry's medical officers is to advise on the school health service arrangements made by local education authorities. Their advice has done much to foster good local co-operation between school medical officers and doctors in the National Health Service.

Mr. Gough

Does my hon. Friend accept the importance of warning parents in respect of the outbreak of certain non-notifiable infectious diseases? I have particularly in mind rubella and its very dangerous effect on pregnant mothers. Does any system exist for the immediate notification of doctors in the general health service on the outbreak of rubella in schools?

Mr. Thompson

As I think my hon. Friend knows, that disease is not a notifiable one, but we are aware of its importance and very concerned that proper steps should be taken to avoid allowing it to spread.

Mr. Gough

Will my hon. Friend therefore use his influence with the Minister of Health to make rubella a notifiable disease?

Mr. Thompson

The chief school medical officer is also the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, and so we work very closely together in this matter as in other matters.