§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the conclusion of the NHS Ombudsman relating to the single assessment process (SAP) in the report "NHS funding for long-term care" that the associated guidance does not suggest whether or how the SAP could provide a basis for, or contribute to, the assessment of eligibility for continuing NHS care. [103150]
§ Jacqui SmithGuidance on the single assessment process already states that comprehensive assessments should be completed for people where the level of support and treatment likely to be offered is intensive or prolonged. We have indicated that, prior to the issue of a section 2 notice (notice from the national health service to say that a patient requires social services on discharge from hospital), the NHS must carry out an assessment, informed by the single assessment process for fully funded NHS continuing care.