SOUTH West care homes can now compare their businesses with competitors thanks to a report from an accountancy firm.

The care homes team at South West accountancy firm Bishop Fleming has created the region's first "bench-marking" report.

The survey identified that 72 per cent of the region's homes rely on public-sector funded fees for their residents, with 86 per cent reporting that those fees are less than £400 per week.

More than 20 per cent are receiving public sector fees of less than £300 per week.

But 49 per cent of South West care homes are charging between £400 and £500 per week for self-funding residents, with 38 per cent charging more than £600 per week.

While 60 per cent of the region's care homes enjoyed a profit increase in the past year, 28 per cent saw their profit reduced by more than 10 per cent.

Some 49 per cent of the region's care homes have 95 per cent occupancy rates.

For 67 per cent of South West care homes, their staff payroll represents more than half their costs.

Copies of the full Bishop Fleming Care Homes bench-marking report are available from the firm's website at www.bishopfleming.co.uk.