Page 1521 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 May 1990
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suspected cases of head lice, parents notified of suspected or confirmed cases, and children do not attend school until proof is provided that treatment for the condition has been completed. The onus is on parents to check their children's hair regularly and to take action promptly to treat any occurrence. A thorough treatment, including the child's hair, clothing, bed clothing, combs, hairclips, towels and so on, should be effected, and other members of the family should also be treated.
If the problem reaches levels at which it is appropriate for the Government to take some kind of action because its dimensions are unacceptable, then of course I will come to this place and tell Mr Moore and others what that would be. However, at this stage I am not advised that there is any uncontrollable problem above and beyond normal levels. For the benefit of Mr Moore, I will table the policy and procedures document relating to the treatment of head lice in ACT schools:
Head lice in ACT public schools - Policy and procedures for treatment and prevention - Copy of supplement to Schools Bulletin No. 331 of 5 May 1983.
MR MOORE: I wish to ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Thank you for your reply, Mr Humphries. In the article on 27 April to which I referred, Dr Packer, who is described as an ACT community paediatrician, said that this is an epidemic. Are you saying that he is wrong?
MR HUMPHRIES: Yes, I think it follows from the advice that I have received that he is wrong. I am not qualified to comment on what technically constitutes an epidemic, but the advice that I have received from my department is that it is not an epidemic. The doctor to whom you referred, I understand, is not employed in the part of the Health Department that is responsible for this area, although he may be involved in a professional capacity with the treatment of people who suffer from head lice. As I said, the advice that I have received is that there is no epidemic of head lice in ACT schools.
Hospital Redevelopment
MRS GRASSBY: My question is directed to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts, who has announced the new planning committee for the hospital redevelopment. Have all prospective committee members been invited onto the committee? If so, have they all accepted?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I will have to take that question on notice. I am aware that there are very few questions that my colleagues and I have taken on notice since we took government. This will have to be one of them.
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