Request

I'm enquiring if you have a definitive and up to date list of pharmacy chains where Healthy Start card holders can access the vitamin supplements available as part of the scheme?

(I ask because some of the related information on the relevant web pages doesn't appear to be quite up to date, and because the find function isn't a suitable means by which to identify participating pharmacy chains – because such requires individual post codes by location to be entered prior to generating results, but doesn't identify participating retailer chains or pharmacy chains).

We wish to use such information as part of a campaign the authority's Public Health function is planning for the New Year.

Response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested and a copy of the information is attached.

We do hold a list of vitamin distributors who have requested that their details are available to view on www.nhs.uk.

Please be advised that we cannot say that this is the definitive, up-to-date list, of all distributors who are signed up to provide vitamins under the scheme. The list includes all vitamin distributors who may have contacted the NHSBSA dating back to 2019.

To explain, when a vitamin distributor contacts the NHSBSA to request changes, such as new distribution points, removal of distribution points or updates to contact details, the NHSBSA will update this list and send this to NHS England who are responsible for Find healthy start vitamins services https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/healthy-start-vitamins - NHS (formerly NHS Choices). Vitamin distributors can also inform NHS England directly and the NHSBSA would not get sight of this. Consequently, the NHSBSA are only aware of updates if we are informed by vitamin distributors.

We also cannot confirm if the list held by NHS England is the definitive, up-to-date list; however, you may wish to redirect your request to them directly. They can be contacted by:

Post: NHS England, PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT; or Email: england.contactus@nhs.net’

Advice and Assistance:

The following additional information may be useful to explain the roles and responsibilities for Healthy Start:

The NHSBSA is responsible for delivering the NHS Healthy Start scheme. Beneficiaries of the scheme will receive a prepaid card which allows them to buy permitted Healthy Start foods and as a beneficiary of the scheme, provides access to free Healthy Start vitamins.

The NHSBSA provides a function to procure a manufacture to make the vitamins. This is commercially managed by the NHSBSA, and the supply of the vitamins is via the NHS Supply Chain who stock and store the vitamins. Vitamin levels are monitored and reported to the NHSBSA.

The NHSBSA signposts Healthy Start beneficiaries looking to obtain vitamins to speak to their Midwife or Health Visitor on their website: www.healthystart.nhs.uk/getting-vitamins/.

In England, the provision of vitamins to Healthy Start beneficiaries is the responsibility of a NHS Trust, Integrated Care Board or Local Authority. These organisations can instruct Pharmacies, Foodbanks, Family Hubs or other organisations to distribute the vitamins to eligible families on their behalf. If a Health Service Body distributes vitamins, it is their responsibility to inform Healthy Start beneficiaries within their area how to obtain them.

There are different ways to get free vitamins if you live in Wales and Northern Ireland. This information is available on our website: www.healthystart.nhs.uk/getting-vitamins/.’

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025” Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.