Members of the public can now view the ratings of local care homes online after the Care Quality Commission launched a new database.

The new facility will make it easier for people to find out ratings and view information about care homes across the country.

The organisation’s chief inspector of adult social care, Andrea Sutcliffe, said she hoped it would assist members of the public in taking the right decision for loved ones.

Almost 10,000 care homes nationwide have been rated by the commission based on inspection criteria launched 18 months ago.