Thousands of Britons could miss out on refunded nursing care fees ahead of a deadline for applications, solicitor Simon Janaway has warned.

Mr Janaway, who works for East Sussex-based Adams & Remers, said many people who had received long-term care privately and had paid thousands of pounds of fees were actually eligible for NHS continuing healthcare treatment.

Mr Janaway said: “People have until 30 September to request an assessment of eligibility with their relevant primary care trust for cases between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2011, and claims can also be made by the executors on behalf of the deceased’s estate if they have since passed away.

“In my experience the owners of many care homes are unsure of the rules around how an individual qualifies for NHS continuing healthcare, so specialist advice and assistance may be needed in making a claim.”

His firm is the second to issue a public warning about the impending deadline. Last month Iniquitas claimed that too few advisers and clients knew that rebates on nursing care would be stopped in a few months’ time.

The warning came in the wake of a supreme court judgement last week that could potentially see thousands more disabled or elderly people gain access to publicly-funded care.

According to documents from supreme court, seen by Financial Adviser, the court rules that councils must not cut back on care provision to save money.