The government say they have picked up signs that councils are struggling to cope with increased demand, and that reform is on the way.

However, Sarah Pickup, the new president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said such changes will be years away. In the meantime councils would have to find new ways of providing services, as “inevitable” long-term care would have to halt.

Mrs Pickup, in an interview with the BBC, cited her own council Hertfordshire who have been offering intensive, short term care for the elderly following problems such as broken hips and strokes.

She added that she knew of plenty of other similar, successful schemes across the country.

She admitted that this was not a long-term solution and that the system is critically under-funded, but that "It does mean that we shouldn't just sit around waiting for someone to wave a wand.

"No-one is going to wave a wand. Even if there is additional funding it is not going to be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

Her comments come as pressure from charities and campaign groups tightened on the government. Michelle Mitchell, charity director general of Age UK said, "Age UK and the British Geriatrics Society are seeing a generation of very vulnerable people whose health is suffering because they are not getting enough care at home."

The government have promised reform in the next spending review, due in three years time.