RESIDENTS of care homes and their families will be able to review the quality of their care in a new scheme designed to improve standards of care in homes across Gwent.

The “Think About Me: Good Care Guide” will be launched on March 9 at a ceremony at the Christchurch Centre, Malpas Road in Newport, where the Minister for Health and Social Services will be meeting care home providers and families.

Thanks to the scheme, families across the region will be able to leave feedback on a care home online and those looking for care will be able to make an informed decision based on others’ reviews – similar to website TripAdvisor.

The nine-month pilot scheme is funded by the Health Technology Challenge Wales Awards with the hope that the scheme will be expanded across Wales. Good Care Guide, which will house the reviews, has proved hugely popular with families embarking on the difficult journey of finding the right care for their loved ones.

Andy Major, director of Good Care Guide, says: “Finding care for a loved one can be a real minefield, so having a one-stop shop to turn to where families and friends have already given their genuine views on something is invaluable.

“This pilot will give older people and their families more of a say about the care they receive. It will highlight care homes where improvements can be made, whilst also letting them celebrate that which they already do well.”