In November 2024 Derbyshire County Council approved the closure of five dementia day centres and eight council-run care homes, including the following locations:
- Brier Close, Borrowash
- Castle Court, Swadlincote
- The Grange, Eckington
- Lacemaker Court, Long Eaton
- The Leys, Ashbourne
- New Bassett House, Shirebrook
- Rowthorne, Swanwick
- Thomas College, Bolsover
The following five dementia day centres were also approved for closure:
- Blackwell Day Centre, Bolsover
- Fabrick Day Service, Clay Cross
- Jubilee Centre, New Mills
- Queen’s Court, Buxton
- Valley View Day Centre, Bolsover
The closure of these council-run care homes has resulted from a substantial funding gap combined with rising demand for alternative in-home specialist care.
In an article published by Derbyshire County Council on 12 February 2025, the council’s cabinet member for adult care, Councillor Natalie Hoy, stated:
“People tell us they want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, which has led to a decline in demand for traditional residential care and a rise in demand for specialist care, including nursing care which we’re not legally allowed to provide.”
A further cabinet report discussed on 20 February 2025 recommended ceasing long-term residential and respite care at The Staveley Centre and Thomas Fields, in order to repurpose these facilities for rehabilitation beds only.
Disruption to Care Routines
A difficult impasse has been reached within the Derbyshire care system, with increasing demand for specialist at-home care alongside challenging budget reduction decisions. Unfortunately, many existing residents of these care homes are now facing significant disruption to their established care routines.
Residents may experience a loss of continuity of care and are at risk of being relocated further away from family and friends, who play an important role in maintaining quality of life and emotional wellbeing.
Further Challenges in Rural Areas
The impact of these closures is further exacerbated by recent changes to public transport, particularly in rural areas such as the Peak District. In March 2025 the bus operator Hulleys of Baslow ceased trading after more than a century of service. This followed Derbyshire County Council’s decision to remove its contracts for routes covering Ashbourne, Bakewell, Castleton, Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Matlock and Wirksworth.
These areas were already experiencing significant inconsistency in public transport provision and now face further disruption as a result of these changes.
This will only worsen the situation for care home residents who have recently been relocated and whose family members rely on public transport to maintain regular visits.
If you have concerns about care following a move or disruption, our clinical negligence team can provide confidential, no-obligation advice on your options.