Closed dementia care home set to reopen in April

A care home for residents with dementia which was controversially closed with just 24 hours' notice is set to reopen in April, a meeting heard.

Hazel Garth in Knottingley was unexpectedly shut in May as a temporary safety measure by Wakefield Council, with the registered manager only learning about the decision via Facebook.

The handling sparked outrage and led to the local authority issuing an apology, with an independent review finding its reputation had been "severely damaged".

Michelle Collins, the council's portfolio holder for adults and health, told a full council meeting: "Works are progressing well and it looks like we are now in a position to open in April."

The review said the closure "was not justified" and "should not have happened in the way it did and must never happen again".

Residents had been expected to return to the facility by the end of 2024 once building repairs and maintenance had been carried out, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"There has been a commitment from the very beginning that Hazel Garth will reopen and provide dementia care," Collins added.

Speaking in December, council leader Denise Jeffery said: "I know people are frustrated about how long it is taking, but we really need to get this right.

"We need this to be a home that people feel happy, secure and safe in, and want to be there."

She added: "I know it has taken longer than we thought but we are moving forward now."

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