A York building that once housed a troubled care home is in the hands of new owners who have hailed a “new beginning” for the site.

Schoen Clinic UK acquired the lease for the entire Minster Grange Care Home building, in Haxby Road, from the Maria Mallaband Care Group in January.

It followed the closure of Minster Grange – a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 62 people – that month after it was rated 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), meaning the watchdog deemed it to be unsafe.

Now, the name of the site has been changed to Wellen Court, Schoen Clinic York to reflect the new ownership.

“We have now changed the name of the building to Wellen Court, Schoen Clinic York to allow a new beginning for us in York,” a spokesperson for the health group – which also has facilities in London and Birmingham – told The Press, adding: “We are not connected to the Maria Mallaband Care Group.”

Schoen Clinic previously sub-let the ground floor of the building to provide a 15-bed eating disorder service for adults which was rated ‘good’ in all areas by the CQC.

And, from January, the health group’s spokesperson said it carried out “extensive refurbishment works” of the site.

This included opening a 20-bed dementia service with plans to increase the number of beds.

“We have proactively engaged with local dementia charities to advise on our new environment and ensured all our colleagues are trained in best dementia practice,” the spokesperson said.

The new service offers respite and short and long-term residential care for people with young onset (when symptoms develop before the age of 65) to advanced dementia.

Care is available on the NHS (by GP referral) and privately.

Service is 'significant step forward in dementia care for York', says director

Adam Bloor, clinical director of the Schoen Clinic UK group, said the service represents a “significant step forward in dementia care for York”.

“We're addressing a crucial gap in local services, ensuring patients and their families no longer need to travel long distances for specialised care.

“Our person-centred approach, combined with our dementia-friendly environment, will help maintain independence and dignity for our patients while providing much-needed support for them and their loved ones."

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As The Press reported, news of Minster Grange Care Home's closure came as a shock to some residents.

A relative of one told The Press last December: “Residents don't know where they will live. It is unlikely that York has sufficient places for all these vulnerable elderly people meaning that many may have to be housed a long way away from friends and family.”

Paul Walsh, chief operating officer of Maria Mallaband Care Group, said last December that those living in the home and team members would be given the opportunity to relocate to one of the organisation’s “nearby homes”, adding that they owned five within a 20-mile radius.

In January, a Maria Mallaband Care Group spokesperson confirmed that all the care home residents found alternative accommodation.