§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many schools the morning-after pill is available; and whether the joint Department for Education and Employment/Department of Health guidance "Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs: A Good Practice Guide" (HMSO, 1996) applies to its supply in schools. [28211]
§ Yvette CooperInformation on the number of schools with on-site health service providing emergency contraception to pupils is not collected centrally. The circular (14/96) and accompanying good practice guide, "Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs", jointly issued by the Department for Education and Skills and the Department, is written for school teaching staff, local education authorities and governing bodies. It is not applicable to health professionals who provide prescription only medicines to under 16s within an agreed legal framework and arrangements set out in patient group directions. There are no circumstances in which teachers supply emergency contraception.