Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the proposed transition from Healthy Start vouchers to the Healthy Start card in March 2022, what steps his Department is taking to (a) make voucher users aware of the cut-off date and (b) ensure the successful transition of voucher users to the card.

Beneficiaries in receipt of Healthy Start paper vouchers were sent two pre-paid card invitation letters or emails between September and November 2021. Beneficiaries also received two leaflets with paper voucher packs, between August 2021 and January 2022, advising them to apply online for their prepaid card to continue to receive Healthy Start.

The NHS Business Service Authority has delivered two national communications activities. The first campaign targeted those on the paper voucher scheme to raise awareness of the end of the paper voucher scheme in March 2022 and the need to apply online for a prepaid card. The second awareness campaign began in February 2022 and is promoting the scheme to all those who may be eligible for a prepaid card.