Wirral Council is to publish CQC care home ratings on its website in order to increase transparency and raise families’ confidence in services.

Under a new policy the council said it would suspend placements to underperforming services.

Cllr Yvonne Nolan, chair of Wirral Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health committee, said: “It’s vital that families have total confidence in the care their relatives receive.

“Under this new policy Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings will be published on the council website which will also indicate where services are suspended for new placements from the council.

“This will help us ensure that families’ confidence in care providers is well placed and that those providers who deliver poor quality care are given the opportunity to make the necessary improvements before taking on additional placements from the local authority.”

Jayne Connery, director of the Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, welcomed the move, commenting to Caring Times: “CCFTV is pleased to see a local authority start naming  and shaming  under-performing care homes as we continue to lead the call on all UK care homes adopting cameras in communal areas. 

“We also support the suspending of placements. Only then when care providers feel it in their pockets will mindsets change on the need for practicing greater transparency in the care of vulnerable people.”

Helen, director of the Relatives & Residents Association, told us: “We welcome the decision by Wirral Council to take action against poor care. Transparency about inadequate services is vital to allow people to make informed decisions about who they entrust with their care.

“The council has a positive obligation under human rights law to act when they know rights are at risk – we hope they remember that this applies to the people already resident in one of these homes, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.”