New operators to take over care home

A new provider is set to take over a care home in Belper that faced "financial pressures".

Derbyshire County Council has announced that Welford Healthcare will start running the Ada Belfield home at the end of September.

In 2024, the authority announced it was to sell the centre to the private sector due to a "decline in demand for traditional residential care".

Last year, more than 5,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the care home, which opened in 2020.

A spokesperson for the council said all current residents and care colleagues would be able to remain at the home following the move.

The library - which is located in the same building - will be leased back to the council at no cost and will continue to be run by the authority.

Joss Barnes, the county council's cabinet member for adult care, said he was pleased all the "hard work" had resulted in the deal going through.

"It's been a long wait for our residents, their families, friends and carers, as well as our staff, and I'm pleased we've been able to finalise the negotiations," he said.

Contracts for the home have been exchanged with Welford Healthcare and the full takeover is expected to be complete by 30 September 2026, subject to Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration.

"The health and wellbeing of our residents and their families is our top priority and I'd like to thank them for their patience, including our colleagues who have continued to work hard to support our residents throughout," he said.

"I'd like to personally thank everyone for their ongoing hard work and commitment."

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