The number of care providers in Oxfordshire rated as “outstanding” by national inspectors has hit record levels with four new top ratings awarded in the last month alone.

The latest ratings published by the Care Quality Commission show that Oxfordshire has 15 care homes, homecare agencies, supported living providers, GPs or independent healthcare organisations now considered outstanding.

The four to have been rated as outstanding during the last month are The Brandon Trust in Oxford, Godswell Park in Banbury, Rush Court in Wallingford and Rosebank Care Home in Bampton.

A total of five per cent of all providers in Oxfordshire are outstanding compared to three per cent nationally and 89% are good or outstanding compared to 83% nationally.

Cabinet member for adult social care Lawrie Stratford said: “Oxfordshire is well ahead of the national average and that position is improving month by month.

“Our congratulations go to the organisations recently rated outstanding. The CQC does not make this award lightly – as can be seen by the fact that only three per cent of organisations nationally have such a status.

“The county council doesn’t run care homes directly but it has a monitoring and safeguarding role to help care homes reach their potential along with the CQC.

“As a council our aim is to enable older and disabled people to live independently and care for those in greatest need, working in partnership with private and voluntary sector providers.”