§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice he has given to schools to ensure that medication for conditions like asthma are readily available for children to take when necessary; if he will consider publishing guidelines to ensure that medication for conditions like asthma are readily available for immediate use when required; and what representations he has received on this subject.
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§ Mr. ForthGeneral guidance on health care in schools for children with medical conditions is given in DES circular 11/90, "Staffing for Pupils with Special Educational Needs", and the October 1993 draft code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs. My right hon. Friend has recently received a letter on this subject from the National Asthma Campaign.
Teachers should, in consultation with parents and with appropriate medical advice, do all that is reasonable to enable children with medical conditions to obtain maximum benefit from education and to participate as fully as possible in school life. Where possible, and particularly in cases of asthma or diabetes, it is considered good health care practice to encourage children to manage their own condition as early as is consistent with their development.