Vulnerable pensioners with dementia and Parkinson’s are facing crippling care bills following attempts by health officials to restrict the numbers receiving NHS funding.

Under national rules, any patient with a significant health problem should have their care and nursing fees paid in full - if the condition is deemed to be the main reason they need such help.

But an investigation by The Telegraph reveals that authorities are increasingly refusing to fund care, claiming that devastating diseases are not severe, or not the primary reason help is needed - leaving families facing bills of up to £100,000 a year.

If the NHS rules that help is required simply because someone is frail or elderly, this falls under social care which is means-tested.

Charities said they were “horrified” by the findings, calling for major reform of a system they dubbed “winner takes all” as the Government prepares to publish a green paper on social care.

The analysis reveals a stark north-south divide - with elderly patients living in London and the home counties the least likely to see their care bills covered by the NHS. Nine out of 10 areas least likely to pay up are in the south, while nine out of 10 areas most likely to fund care are in the north, the figures show.