We’ve created the best care home facility in Merseyside

Mar 5 2008 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

RESIDENTIAL care provider Dovehaven Care Group has paid £1.25m for a Birkdale nursing home that is to offer the height of luxury to its residents.

With backing from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Southport-based Dovehaven has acquired the former Ravenswood Nursing Home from Craigmoor Healthcare and have spent the last six months undertaking a complete refurbishment of the property.

They now claim to have created one of the best care home facilities in Merseyside. Among the benefits on offer for the residents is a Mercedes that will be used to ferry them on trips around the local area.

The property has been renamed Westcliffe Manor and with the refurbishment now complete will provide accommodation for 30 people at the premium end of the care market. It features top floor apartment style accommodation and luxurious fittings in every room.

Dovehaven Care Homes is a family-run care group established over 20 years ago by husband and wife team Mark and Wendy Gilbert and remains a family-run business, with son Luke project managing the refurbishment.

The group owns and operate six other homes in the Southport area that cover all types of care provision. Following the refurbishment, Dovehaven provides care for more than 200 people across their six homes and employs over 200 staff.

Mr Gilbert, the managing director, said: “Westcliffe Manor is a fantastic building in a superb location and our aim was to create a facility that stands out from the crowd.

“The refurbished property will offer residents a high degree of comfort and we believe it will help improve the range of care facilities available locally.”

Funding was provided by RBS in Southport. Jeff Cummins, senior commercial manager, said: “Mark and Wendy are experienced care home operators.

“This new property will complement their existing homes and I am confident will be just as successful.”

tonymcdonough