Healthy Start Scheme

(asked on 15th January 2024) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the ability of low-income families to access the NHS Healthy Start scheme.


Answered by
Andrea Leadsom Portrait
Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 22nd January 2024

The Healthy Start scheme helps to encourage a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies and young children under four from low-income households who are in receipt of qualifying benefits. In December 2023, uptake for the Healthy Start scheme was 73%.

Systems are in place to help eligible families apply for and access the scheme. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is committed to increasing uptake of the Healthy Start scheme as much as possible to ensure all children have a healthy start in life. NHSBSA actively promotes the Healthy Start scheme through its digital channels and has created free tools to help stakeholders promote the scheme. There is an online application process, allowing for quick outcomes to applications, as well as a helpline to assist with the application process or general questions.

The eligibility criteria for the Healthy Start scheme are kept under continuous review.

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