Wakefield care home reopens after safety upgrade
A council-run care home has reopened after it was shut while essential safety upgrades were carried out.
Senior councillors in Wakefield agreed to temporarily close Dovecote Lodge earlier this year as asbestos needed to be removed from the building and a new fire alarm system installed.
The facility in Horbury provides short term rehabilitation and recovery care for residents.
It offers therapy-led support to adults who are medically stable but not yet ready to return home.
Residents benefit from an on-site team and personalised plans focused on regaining strength, mobility, and confidence.
Michelle Collins, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for adults and health, announced the reopening in a report to councillors.
She said: “The home now has 16 residents, with capacity for 24.
“As part of the refurbishment, all fire doors were replaced and a new fire system installed.
“The team also made thoughtful improvements to communal areas, including open-plan seating in the entryway and a new breakfast bar to help residents, where appropriate, prepare their own meals and build independence.”
A report to cabinet members in April said the home needed to be vacant for the works, costing £800,000, to take place.
Coun Collins said at the time: “This will allow the contractors to take full possession of the property and to get the work done as quickly as possible.
“This is not the closure of a care home.
“This is a temporary pause in admissions coming in while the work gets done.
“There will be no disruption of noise and dust if we are to allow the pause.
“Both staff and residents will have the best environments possible.”