HC Deb 25 January 2000 vol 343 c158W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to raise awareness in schools of the problems facing sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia sufferers. [106197]

Jacqui Smith

Schools will have their own health policies reflecting the needs of their pupils. Clearly where pupils suffer from particular conditions schools should include these in their policy where it is appropriate, taking advice from the local medical service and specialist organisations as necessary.

We have made available to schools advice and information on sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia via the Government's Wired for Health website which has links to the Sickle Cell Society and UK Thalassaemia Society. The Wired for Health site is part of the Healthy Schools Programme, run jointly by the Department for Education and Employment and Department of Health (www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk).

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