Self-directed referrals are appropriate for this service. Direct patients to the provider website (see below) for further information.

Pregnant woman and families with children under the age of four may be eligible for Healthy Start payments.

Eligible parents will be sent a pre-paid Healthy Start card that can be used to buy the following:

• plain liquid cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
• infant formula milk based on cow’s milk.

The card will be topped up every four weeks.

The Healthy Start Card can also be used to collect Healthy Start vitamins (to support during pregnancy and breastfeeding) and vitamin drops for babies and young children (suitable from birth to four years). Visit the NHS services website to see where the vitamins can be collected from.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

• pregnant women in receipt of income support
• pregnant women aged under 18
• families with at least one child under the age of four in receipt of income support.