Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 26 March 1999. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Friday, 26 March 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many local education authorities send head lice nurses into schools; what is his Department's policy on head lice nurses in schools; what is the cost of providing head lice nurses to schools; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local education authorities send head lice nurses into schools; what is his Department's policy on head lice nurses in schools; what is the cost of providing head lice nurses to schools; and if he will make a statement. [78941] Ms Jowell: It is the responsibility of health authorities to provide services to control the spread of head lice among school children. This service is exercised through the primary health care team, which may include the services of a school nurse. It is the policy of the Department together with the Department of Education and Employment, to encourage a "whole school approach" to the detection of and treatment of head lice. This entails parents checking their children and other family members for head lice and arranging treatment where necessary, with such support from the local primary health care team as they may require. Information on the number of school nurses checking for head lice and the cost of this service is not available centrally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 78941; 328 c425-6W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Children Finance Local education authorities Pupils Nurses Schools Head lice