Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible within the national health service for commissioning and funding services for their resident population. It is for Hampshire hospitals and the PCTs that commission their services to ensure that patients are appropriately discharged into the community.
More generally, on 1 October 2007 the NHS implemented the National Framework for Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care which contains guidance on assessing the care needs of patients. If a full assessment for continuing healthcare is required, it must be completed before discharge from hospital can proceed.