Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Request

‘Please can you answer a query I have related to where the NHS Healthy Start prepaid card is spent in England.

I would like to see the percentage split of transactions using the prepaid card that take place at supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies and other types of retail?

In addition, please share information about the amount spent using the prepaid card at supermarkets specifically. Preferably, I would like to see a monthly breakdown of this from the last 6 months.

Is there also any data on which regions have the highest number of eligible beneficiaries?’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 8 July 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds some of the information you have requested. A copy of this information is attached.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

The data presented is based on NHS Healthy Start card transaction information in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This data covers the time period of 1st January 2025 to 30th June 2025 inclusive.

Data is included where a card transaction was recorded as a purchase and where the transaction was settled.

Data reflects that which is presently stored and reported upon. Data is obtained within the first working week of the following month. It is a possibility that a nominal number of transactions may be settled after this time.

Data has been provided by category as requested (e.g. supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, and other). Note that some retailer outlets (e.g. some individual supermarkets, etc.) may record transactions within a different category. Examples of this may be where a retailer (e.g. a supermarket) has an outlet that is within a service station – this would not be included within this data.

Question 1 - I would like to see the percentage split of transactions using the prepaid card that take place at supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies and other types of retail?

A copy of the data is attached.

Question 2 - In addition, please share information about the amount spent using the prepaid card at supermarkets specifically. Preferably, I would like to see a monthly breakdown of this from the last 6 months.

A copy of the data is attached.

Question 3 - Is there also any data on which regions have the highest number of eligible beneficiaries?

The number of eligible beneficiaries is not available as per details on the NHS Healthy Start website. Data is available online for the number of people on the NHS Healthy Start digital scheme by month and locality. This data is available here: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

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.