§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in what circumstances the prescribing of a drug to a child in care can be challenged by the parents, if they believe that the child may have suffered an adverse reaction to the drug, where that adverse reaction is (i) reported and (ii) unreported; [115521]
(2) in what circumstances independent medical advice can be sought when there is a disagreement between parents and the local authority with a duty of care for a child who may have suffered an adverse reaction to a drug, where that reaction is (a) reported and (b) unreported; and if he will make a statement; [115523]
(3) in what circumstances the local authority with a responsibility of care for a child could challenge the prescribing of a drug to that child if they believe the child may have suffered an adverse reaction to the drug, where that adverse reaction is (a) reported and (b) unreported. [115522]
§ Mr. HuttonWhere a child is looked after by a local authority and is on a care order, the local authority has parental responsibility for the child. It shares that parental responsibility with the child's parent(s), but the local authority has the power to determine the extent to which the parents may exercise their parental responsibility in relation to the child. Where a child is looked after by a local authority and the authority is accommodating the child, it does not have parental responsibility—but a person may arrange for someone else to discharge all or some of it on their behalf, so a parent whose child is accommodated may arrange for the local authority to be responsible on their behalf. Even without such an arrangement, the local authority may do what is reasonable for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child's welfare, which may include arranging for urgent medical attention.