To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to prevent inappropriate discharges of patients into the community by (a) trust and (b) foundation hospitals; and if he will make a statement. (180346)

The decision to discharge a patient is a medical one, made by clinicians. The health and social care needs of patients are assessed as part of the hospital discharge process to ensure that the patients care needs are met. On 1 October 2007 the national health service implemented the National Framework for Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care which contains guidance on assessing the care needs of patients.