We're really pleased to announce the launch of a pilot project, a collaboration between the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust Maternity Team and Kent County Council Public Health Team, to increase access to essential vitamins during pregnancy.
The project aims to increase access to free vitamin supplements for pregnant women, and to increase use of the Healthy Start scheme, which helps families on low incomes to purchase healthy food during pregnancy and when children are under 4 years old.
It is important for pregnant women to have a good intake of key vitamins and minerals that will support the healthy development of their baby. The NHS recommends that during pregnancy you should take a vitamin D supplement, which help's babies' bones to develop. It also recommends a folic acid supplement during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to lower the chance of babies having spinal problems.
One of the ways the NHS helps people to have a good vitamin intake during pregnancy is through the Healthy Start scheme for people on lower incomes. This scheme offers free pregnancy vitamin supplements as well as prepaid cards to support you to buy things like fresh fruit and vegetables, and milk.
However, uptake of the Healthy Start scheme is not as high as we'd like it to be in Kent, and so we know that many pregnant women may not be taking the vitamin supplements they need.
This pilot project will enable DGT midwives to supply Healthy Start vitamins directly to some pregnant women at antenatal appointments in specific Dartford, Gravesham, and Swanley postcode areas, without the need to register for the Healthy Start scheme first. This means that many women will be able to start taking these vitamins earlier in their pregnancy. This is especially important for folic acid, which needs to be taken in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Our midwives will then also be able to signpost women on how to check their eligibility and sign up for the full Healthy Start scheme.
You can visit our dedicated maternity website here: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/maternity