Bradford East MP David Ward is calling for a complete overhaul of the NHS’s continuing care package after a new report found the system was “shrouded in mystery and disarray”.

A study conducted by Parkinson’s UK and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s uncovered huge failings in the system, which provides free health care for people with severe health needs.

It said the funding package left thousands of vulnerable and sick people with no choice but to pick up the cost of specialised care they cannot live without – with those living with long-term, degenerative conditions particularly at risk.

After meeting people living with Parkinson’s at the launch of the Failing to Care report in the House of Lords on Wednesday, Mr Ward vowed to support calls for the Government to simplify NHS continuing care so it supports those who need it most.

He said: “It’s completely unacceptable that so many people are being left with no choice but to pick up the cost of specialised care they can’t live without, when they are in the advanced stages of serious health conditions like Parkinson’s.

“The Government must take action now to make sure vulnerable people and their families are given the support they are entitled to, and stop the additional suffering they are being put through by the current NHS continuing care system.”

Steve Ford, chief executive of Parkinson’s UK said: “Putting people with Parkinson’s in a position where they may have to sell their own homes to pay for care is a tragic NHS failing.”