The government is coming under growing pressure to stop nursing homes from taking advantage of its 'free' care initiative.

Figures released by the Department of Health show one in three MPs have written to ministers urging them to act.

Last October, the government introduced payments to help fund the cost of providing nursing care to individual patients in care homes in England - the Registered Nursing Contribution.

When more than one in three of all MPs write to a minister on a specific issue then there is something seriously wrong

Paul Burstow MP

Some homes responded by raising their fees so that patients ended up paying the same amount as before.

The Liberal Democrats said the extent of MPs communication with ministers over the issue showed there was a real problem.

Seriously wrong

Its spokesman on older people Paul Burstow said: "These figures are just the tip of an iceberg.

"Families with loved ones in care homes simply do not know where to turn and only come to their MP as a last resort."

He added: "When more than one in three of all MPs write to a minister on a specific issue then there is something seriously wrong with the policy."

Ministers introduced new rules in March aimed at stopping care homes from increasing fees unfairly.

Homes are now required to publish a breakdown of their fees and to explain how the NHS contribution is spent.

But Mr Burstow said: "Implementation of free nursing care has been badly botched.

"It is time the whole scheme was put under the microscope and subject to a full investigation."

In a written reply to the Lib Dem MP, Ms Smith said: "I have received correspondence on this subject from many people who are distressed about the way that nursing home owners are taking account of the Registered Nursing Contribution (RNC) when revising their fee levels.

"I have written to some national providers of care homes about this and shall be meeting them shortly to discuss this matter further."