Changes to nursing care which come into force on October 1 have been described as "unworkable, unfair and unjust" by a leading charity.

Age Concern is critical of the new arrangements, which provide free nursing care but introduce charges for "personal" care, in contrast to the policy being implemented in Scotland where all care is to be funded by the state.

The charity says there is confusion about what will happen when the changes come in to force. It highlights concerns about how health authorities willpay nursing homes before all the residents who are currently paying for their own care are properly assessed.

The Department of Health is criticised for failing to provide guidance about whether those who are initially classified in one of the lower funding bandsbefore assessment will receive backdated payments if they are placed in a higher band.

Age Concern's director general, Gordon Lishman, predicted there would be "mayhem" when the new rules are introduced.

"Levels of indignation about the system have been worsened by the fact that older people in Scotland will be getting their personal and nursing care paid for," said Lishman.

The new system provides for three levels of nursing care funding; £35, £70 and £110 per week. It is expected to mainly effect around 35,000 people who currently pay their own nursing home fees in full.

"The government will be sadly disappointed if they think that by offering older people a few crumbs towards their nursing care, that they will behappy with this. Most older people won't benefit from the complex new arrangements," predicted Age Concern.