§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what directives she has given to district health authorities on the schools health service; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what steps she is taking to protect the schools health service, and to ensure a uniform standard of service throughout the country; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoHealth authorities are aware that, in their purchasing of health services for their local populations they must fulfil the duty under section 5 of the National Health Service Act 1977 to provide for the inspection and treatment of children at maintained schools—duties which may be extended to independent schools by arrangement with the school's proprietors. How they do so is a matter 331W for local decision. With the increasing involvement of general practitioners and their primary care teams in child health surveillance, many school children receive the bulk of the health care they require from GPs as part of a comprehensive family practitioner service. It is therefore no longer appropriate to insist on a separate school health service responsible for all school children. We foresee a continuing need for some specialised services, particularly for children with special educational needs and for those not adequately covered by primary care. We intend to publish guidanceon such provision within a good practice guide to child community health services.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the funding allocation for the schools health service for each year since 1985.
§ Mr. YeoFunding is provided through the general allocation for community health services. It is not possible to identify specific allocations to health services for school children.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) school nurses and (b) school medical officers were employed by each district health authority in each year since 1985.