Healthy Start is a statutory Department of Health scheme which replaced the Welfare Food Scheme. The Healthy Start scheme helps qualifying pregnant women and families buy milk, fresh fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk, and provides free vitamin supplements. The scheme includes free vitamin supplements for qualifying children from 6 months until their 4th birthday, and free vitamin supplements for qualifying pregnant women and women with children up to one year old. The children’s vitamin drops contain vitamins A, C and D and the women’s tablets contain vitamins C and D, and folic acid. Healthy Start supplements contain only those vitamins most needed in pregnancy and early years, they do not replace a balanced diet or breastfeeding.
Nationally and regionally there is a very low take up of vitamin supplementation, less than 2% across England, and it is vital that this low take up is addressed regionally.
In order to support take up in the London region, PCT's were invited to seminars in Autumn 2010 and a follow up seminar in Spring 2011.
Healthy Start Workshop – Autumn 2010
Healthy Start Workshop – Spring 2011
Healthy Start Training
Department of Health Healthy Start Reports
For quarterly Department of Health including NHS supply chain data please contact healthystart@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Healthy Start Case Studies
