Minister announces 'Healthy Start Scheme'

Children and mums-to-be are to benefit from a new nutritional scheme launched by Health Minister, Paul Goggins.

The Healthy Start scheme, which will replace the old Welfare Food Scheme, comes into effect today, and will offer milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, infant formula and free vitamin supplements.

Healthy Start is open to pregnant women (once they are 10 weeks pregnant) and families with children under the age of four who are in receipt of:

• Income Support



• Income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance or,



• Child Tax Credit (not working Tax Credit) with an annual family income below £14,155 a year (2006/07)

It is also open to all pregnant women under 18 years of age regardless of income.

Announcing the new scheme, Mr Paul Goggins said: “Poor diet has a major impact on health. Healthy Start is about giving children the best possible nutritional start in life. By providing this opportunity of a healthy, balanced diet at the beginning of life, it will set children up for a healthier future.

“The Welfare Food Scheme previously supported many families by providing them with milk and infant formula. The Healthy Start scheme I am announcing today, will provide families with much more flexibility on how to use their vouchers and, importantly, make a healthy diet freely available.”

The vouchers available to families are as follows:

• Pregnant women and children aged between one and four years will receive one voucher per week, worth £2.80, for each child/pregnancy



• Children under one year old will receive two vouchers per child, worth a total of £5.60



• Babies who are born before the estimated date of delivery will receive two vouchers until one year after their expected date of delivery. Babies who are born after the expected date of delivery will receive vouchers for one year from the date of delivery

The value of vouchers will be adjusted periodically to ensure they continue to keep pace with the retail prices of milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula.

Leaflets and application forms are available from GP surgeries and health centres or by telephoning the Publications Order line on 08701 555 455 or using the Healthy Start website www.healthystart.nhs.uk

(EF/KMcA)