OXFORDSHIRE has been ranked the third worst area in the country for the number of nursing and care homes not coming up to scratch.

Figures released yesterday reveal that 18.4 per cent “require improvement” according to health watchdog Care Quality Commission.

The only areas worse than Oxfordshire were West Yorkshire and the Isle of Wight.

There are 247 registered care and nursing homes in the county.

The figures, published by directory TrustedCare, also show Oxford has the most expensive nursing homes at nearly £1,000 per week, and the fourth most expensive care homes at £754 a week.

CQC director of engagement Chris Day said: “It’s important that people have access to information that helps them to choose the right care.

“CQC’s ratings of care services should play a vital role in helping people to make that choice so we’re pleased that websites such as TrustedCare are making sure more people have access to them.”

There are 13,209 providers across the country still waiting to be inspected under the new CQC regime which gives ratings of “outstanding”, “good”, “requires improvement” and “inadequate”.