U-turn over admissions to under-threat Lancashire care homes

The Lancashire County Council-run facilities were placed under review by the authority back in October, after their buildings were deemed to be in “significantly poor condition”.

At that point, the homes were closed to most new admissions – with only temporary placements being accepted. County Hall said it would be “unreasonable” for people to be allowed to move into the properties when there was a possibility that closure or a disruptive refurbishment might be on the horizon early next year.

However, it was announced earlier this week that a final decision about the services – which had been due in February 2026 – would now be delayed, possibly until the spring, because of the scale of the response to a public consultation recently carried out as part of the review, which generated more than 1,600 replies.

Now, the block on accepting permanent residents has also been lifted. However, the Post understands that anybody moving into the facilities – Favordale (Colne), Grove House (Adlington), Milbanke (Kirkham), Thornton House (Thornton Cleveleys) and Woodlands (Clayton-le-Moors) – and their families, will be advised of the ongoing process so that they are fully aware of the situation.

Asked by the Post earlier this week whether he could commit to the starting point for the review now being an ambition to keep the homes open, the county council’s Reform UK leader, Stephen Atkinson, said that would be “prejudging” the matter.

“We wouldn’t be extending the timeframe to make this decision [in that case],” he said, adding that he wanted to ensure “every one” of the “heartfelt” consultation responses was considered as part of the assessment.

Progressive Lancashire opposition group leader Azhar Ali had previously claimed the moratorium on most new residents being admitted smacked of an effort to “run down” the homes.

He told the LDRS that he was glad his “pleas to try and fill these rooms have finally been heard” – and repeated a call for the administration to establish a “cross-party working group to come up with sensible plans [for the homes] moving forward”.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "Throughout the consultation, the affected homes continued to be used for short stays, and now the temporary pause on long-term admissions has been lifted.

"Any new residents and their families will be informed about the ongoing review, which we are taking additional time over. We will also continue to work closely with the NHS to make beds available to those in need.

"It is important to note that occupancy levels can fluctuate, but our focus remains steadfast on maintaining high-quality services and supporting residents to live their lives with dignity and care.

"As of today, there are 29 vacant beds across the affected homes, compared to 17 prior to the start of the consultation period.

"Our vision remains clear - to be the best quality service, safely supporting older people with kindness, dignity, care, and compassion to live their life, their way."