AROUND one in seven adults with ongoing health needs in Bolton were denied free NHS care over the summer, according to new figures.

NHS England findings show that just 14 of 37 standard applications to Continuing Healthcare support were granted in the borough over a three month period.

Continuing Healthcare refers to a free package of support granted to adults needing care and support outside hospitals.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: "This situation is grossly unfair on older people and their families, especially those with no one to speak up on their behalf.

"They can end up paying enormous care bills which should have been the responsibility of the state.

"The legal battles over this can go on for years, way beyond a person's death, leaving a really a bad taste in the mouth for the families left behind."

Rates varied widely between Clinical Commissioning Groups elsewhere around the country with just 46 per cent of all assessments were deemed eligible in the Surrey Heartlands, in the South East, compared to 99 per cent in Doncaster, Yorkshire.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "There will always be some variation in eligibility across local areas because of differences in age profiles and particular health needs of the population."