Evaluation of a Healthy Start

The Tavistock Institute worked in partnership with Symbia management consultants to evaluate phase 1 of Healthy Start, a Department of Health scheme which has replaced the Welfare Food Scheme in the Phase 1 area (Devon and Cornwall).

Context

The Department of Health plans to roll out Healthy Start nationally in November 2007. The Tavistock Institute /Symbia team provided recommendations to the sponsoring body, the Department of Health, for the implementation of Phase 2.Work began late in 2005 and is now completed. Healthy Start is a scheme which aims to encourage pregnant women and low income groups to eat a more nutritious diet by giving them vouchers to exchange for milk, fresh fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk at participating retailers. Application forms are signed by a health professional and this provides an opportunity for discussion about nutrition, diet and breast feeding, where appropriate. Healthy Start extends the Welfare Food Scheme which provides volume based vouchers for infant formula.