A Bradford solicitor is urging people to act now if they do not want to miss out of claiming back expensive care home fees that were wrongly paid.

It is estimated that thousands of people are entitled to claim but, following an announcement by the Department of Health, they will not be able to do so after September 30. Many are still unaware that they can dispute fees paid between April 2004 and March 2011.

People who may be entitled to claim are those who can prove that the person was in the care home primarily for health reasons. In such cases the NHS should pay the full cost following a Court of Appeal ruling in 1999.

As many as 100,000 people should qualify for NHS continuing care, whether they are in hospital, their own home or a care home. However the vast majority miss out on the benefit because individual NHS trusts are left to interpret the Department of Health guidelines on who qualifies on health grounds.

John Wilson, managing director of Wilsons Solicitors, said: “There are many people who need to go into a care home for conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease or after suffering a stroke. These people should not have to pay.

“The problem is there is a conflict of interest, as the primary care trusts have to pick up the bill if the care is free.”

Visit bradford.nhs.uk for details.