Analysis of large care home providers published today by Which? shows that 54 providers operating at least 12 homes in England had half or more of their premises rated as poor by the regulator. Commenting on the analysis, Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said:
“This analysis highlights the variations in quality of care homes that older people and their families have to navigate when choosing a home. Being a high-profile brand or running a large number of care homes is no guarantee of quality, with some or the largest care home providers having more than a third of their homes receiving poor ratings by the regulator. For older people to have confidence that their chosen home will be up to scratch, care homes must be regularly reviewed by the Care Quality Commission and the findings acted upon to improve quality. In the meantime, our free guide to choosing a care home can help older people and their families find the best home for them.”