25 March 2010

W100254-Hlth

FREE VITAMINS FOR CHILDREN PILOT BEGINS IN - First Minister for and Health Minister attend launch -

First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones and Health Minister Edwina Hart will today [25 March 2010] launch a pilot which will see free Healthy Start multivitamins given to all pregnant and breastfeeding women and children up to the age of four.

Currently, the vitamins are available to those in low income families, however the pilot will make these essential vitamins available at no cost to all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children up to four years.

The pilot project which is taking place across Cardiff will look at how best to distribute the vitamins to ensure as many people as possible can take advantage of them.

Although eating a healthy balanced diet will provide most of the vitamins needed, taking Healthy Start vitamins is another way to help make sure pregnant women and young children get all the goodness they need. They can also help avoid vitamin deficiency illnesses, such as vitamin D deficiency rickets.

The vitamins will be given out by health visitors and in local health centres and clinics.

The findings from the pilot will be reviewed after 12 months, and if successful the programme - using the recommended distribution process highlighted - may be rolled out Newyddion News across the rest of Wales.

Attending the launch at Ely and Caerau Children’s centre, the First Minister said: “The Healthy Start programme contributes to our “One Wales” commitment to invest in the prevention of ill health and supports the wider provision of equal access to health for all across Wales.

"Every parent wants to give their child the best start in life, which is why it is important that pregnant mothers know they have the best possible chance to establish good health for mum and baby early on."

Mrs Hart added: “In the UK, half of all children under five are reported to have not enough vitamin A in their diet and there are reports of young children suffering from vitamin D deficiency. These vitamins are needed for normal healthy growth and development.

Ty Hywel Ffôn * Tel 029 20821823 Bae Caerdydd ▪ Cardiff Bay Ffacs * Fax 029 2089 8560 CF99 1NA :

“The current Healthy Start Scheme and the new pilot project will together contribute to making it easier for people to improve their health, and to lead healthier lifestyles.”

Jan Williams, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, added: “Ensuring mothers and their young children get the right balance of vitamins for the best start in life is vital. This pilot demonstrates how we as a Health Board can target factors that can cause ill-health and promote a healthy lifestyle at the same time.”

Helen Nicholls, Community Dietetic Clinical Lead and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, said: “Bwrdd Cymru British Dietetic Association (BDA) is delighted to be involved with this innovative project, it is a great step forward ensuring that more people in Wales who need the vitamins will have access to them.”

The free vitamins play an important role in the Healthy Start scheme, which was set up to give young children, new and expectant mothers the best possible start in life. Along with the vitamins, Healthy Start offers vouchers for free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables.

ENDS

Diary Marker

The First Minister and Health Minister will launch the pilot:

Date: 25 March 2010 Time: 9:30 - 10:00 am Location: Ely & Caerau Children’s Centre, Michaelston Road, Ely, CF5 4SX (The Children’s Centre is in the grounds of Michaelston College)

Summary: Attending a Language and Play session on food and nutrition, First Minister and Health Minister will launch the pilot by handing out the pilot’s first packs of multivitamins to parents.

Available for interview: First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones Health Minister Edwina Hart Parents receiving the first packs of vitamins Jan Williams, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Helen Nicholls, Community Dietetic Lead and BDA spokesperson

Parking is available at the centre and nearby.

You are invited to send a journalist, camera crew or photographer.

Notes:

In November 2006 Healthy Start replaced the Welfare Food Scheme. Healthy Start is a statutory UK wide scheme, managed by Department of Health on behalf of the UK. The scheme provides weekly vouchers, currently worth £3.10 each to families on low incomes, Vouchers can be used towards the cost of milk, fresh fruit and vegetables and infant formula.

Two Healthy Start vitamin supplements are also available, one for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers and the other for children up to 4 years of age.

Ty Hywel Ffôn * Tel 029 20821823 Bae Caerdydd ▪ Cardiff Bay Ffacs * Fax 029 2089 8560 CF99 1NA :

Free Healthy Start vitamin supplements have been piloted in three areas of England - Heart of Birmingham PCT, Blackburn and Darwen PCT and Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT and NHS Fife and NHS Tayside in Scotland.

Ty Hywel Ffôn * Tel 029 20821823 Bae Caerdydd ▪ Cardiff Bay Ffacs * Fax 029 2089 8560 CF99 1NA :