Healthy Start Reimbursement Unit

Tender description

Healthy Start is a statutory scheme governed by Regulations made under the Social Security Act 1988 as amended by the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. The Healthy Start Scheme and Welfare Food (Amendment) Regulations 2005 introduced the scheme to Devon and Cornwall in November 2005. The Healthy Start Scheme and Welfare Food (Amendment No Regulations 2006 extended the scheme across Great Britain in November 2006. Equivalent regulations were introduced in Northern Ireland on the same date. The Department of Health manages the scheme throughout the UK on behalf of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The aim of the Healthy Start Reimbursement Unit is to put in place an external provider to process, validate, and make accurate payment to retailers for vouchers they have accepted within specific performance standards set by DH, and within prevailing Government guidelines on prompt payments to business.