Two care homes are set to re-open after being taken over

Manor Park Care Home, in Greenock Road, and Admiral Court, in Cleveland Road, are set to take in residents again under new operators.

Council chiefs say it is good news and hope it will ease pressure on capacity in town.

Sally Robinson, director of child and adult services at Hartlepool Borough Council said: “The clinical commissioning group and council are speaking to both of the new providers of what was previously Manor Park and Admiral Court and we are optimistic that they will be opening and increasing capacity in Hartlepool.

“We have negotiated that hopefully we will be looking at both residential and nursing care, which is really where the greatest need is.

“Both projects are in different stages of development and refurbishment but we are hoping that what was Manor Park will be opening in late spring.”

She said more work was needed at Admiral Court after being closed for so long time and would more likely be autumn when it opens.

Ms Robinson said the council was working with both providers to help meet the authority’s needs but also support them in registering with the Care Quality Commission.

Councillor Stephen Akers-Belcher said at a meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee: “It has been a concern to see a number of care homes close for whatever reason.

“I do welcome the announcement of the re-opening of former Manor Park within my ward. It has been a concern to residents in my area.

“It will go a long way to alleviating some of the problems.”

Manor Park, which was ran by national firm Four Season Care, closed last summer after being rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and running at a loss.

As a result, 32 residents were forced to find alternative accommodation.

Admiral Court, which specialised in nursing care, closed in mid-2015, after inspectors found a number of failings.

Residents had to move out and a number of staff lost their jobs. It was run by Four Winds Care Ltd which went into liquidation.

It is hoped the new homes will see fewer elderly people requiring care having to go to homes outside of Hartlepool due to shortages.

The Mail reported recently that out of borough placements had rocketed more than ten times in the last few years to 38 so far this year.