HL Deb 13 June 1979 vol 400 cc612-3

2.44 p.m.

Baroness MASHAM of ILTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is satisfactory liaison in maintained schools between school doctors and family doctors.

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, we have no evidence to suggest that there is a general problem, although no doubt there is variation between areas. If the noble Baroness has a particular case in mind, I would suggest that she take it up with the local authority.

Baroness MASHAM of ILTON

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that the Court Report and the Warnock Report are now published and that there is great concern throughout the country about the school health service? Is it not time that there was a thorough review of this? Would the noble Lord agree that there is no career service for doctors and nurses working within the school health service?

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, I am aware of what the noble Baroness has said. The Court Report was really a review of the children's health service and discussions have been taking place with all concerned. These discussions are continuing and there has been also a steering committee set up on the Warnock Report and a submission to Ministers is shortly to be made by those people on the steering committee. Quite a lot is being done on the lines which the noble Baroness has suggested.

Baroness FAITHFULL

My Lords, would the noble Lord agree that, as a pilot scheme, it might be possible to appoint fully-trained nurses full time particularly involved with children to each, or at least to a few, of the big comprehensive schools and that this would be a tremendous asset in assessing handicapped children at an early stage and of value to the children, to the parents, and particularly to the teachers to whom the nurse could give help and advice?

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, I understand that there is a resident nurse in all schools of 1,000 pupils or more.