A care home near Ilkeston, in Breaston
Families looking at care homes in Ilkeston often want to widen the search a little, and The Firs Residential Home is one of the homes within easy reach. It is in the village of Breaston, around 6 miles from Ilkeston town centre, and it is a small, family-run home with 28 beds. Ilkeston and Breaston share a borough and a social care council, which keeps the funding side simple.
This page sets out what matters to an Ilkeston family: the journey, the council, the local hospitals and visiting. Other nearby towns and villages are listed on our areas we cover page.
Ilkeston and Breaston: the same borough, the same council
Ilkeston is home to Erewash Borough Council, which is based at the Town Hall on Wharncliffe Road, and Breaston sits within Erewash too. Erewash is a two-tier area. The borough council looks after services such as council tax, housing, and rubbish and recycling, while Derbyshire County Council is responsible for adult social care.
For a care home place, that means Derbyshire County Council is the council that assesses your parent's needs and finances, whether they live in Ilkeston or Breaston. Moving from Ilkeston to The Firs keeps your parent within the same council area, so there is no second authority to deal with. The Firs accepts Derbyshire County Council funding, with or without a family top-up, as well as private funding and NHS Continuing Healthcare. Our fees start from £1,200 a week, and current fees and deferred payment agreements are explained on our care home fees page.
Getting to The Firs from Ilkeston
Driving is the easiest way to reach The Firs from Ilkeston. From Ilkeston Market Place, Google Maps usually suggests a route via Rushy Lane, a journey of around 6 miles, with the A52 Brian Clough Way offered as an alternative. How long it takes depends on the time of day and the traffic.
Public transport is less straightforward. The main bus through Breaston is the indigo, which runs between Derby and Nottingham by way of Long Eaton rather than Ilkeston, so there is no direct bus from Ilkeston to the village. If you do not drive, a lift or a taxi is usually the simplest option, and we are happy to talk through the journey when you call.
When your parent is in hospital
Many Ilkeston families start looking for a home while their parent is in hospital. Ilkeston Community Hospital on Heanor Road, about 7 miles from The Firs, is run by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust and provides intermediate care as well as an inpatient ward. Families from Ilkeston may also find a parent at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, which is about 7 miles from the home.
Whichever hospital your parent is in, you can ask the ward or discharge team to include The Firs in the options they are considering. Call us at the same time so that we can check whether a room is free and talk through what support your parent needs. We have no formal arrangement with either hospital, but rooms are sometimes available at short notice.
Care home in Ilkeston or nearby: what The Firs offers
Older people who need daily help and company live at The Firs on a permanent basis, and our residential care page explains that side of the home. For a parent living with dementia at any stage, the dementia care page describes our approach and the team behind it. A short stay after hospital, or while an Ilkeston carer takes a break, is covered on the respite care page. Adults with mental health needs are supported too, as set out on our mental health support page.
Visiting from Ilkeston
Visiting at The Firs runs from 9am to 10pm every day, which leaves room for a drive over from Ilkeston after work or on a weekday evening. There is a private car park at the front of the house, so you can park on arrival rather than looking for a space in the village. Families are welcome to join in with activities while they are with us.
Speak to the home
Your call to 01332 872535 goes straight to The Firs, where our director, Dr Daljinder Bajwa, deals with enquiries and visit requests personally. Dr Bajwa can tell you which rooms are available, explain how Derbyshire County Council funding works for a family from Ilkeston and arrange a time for you to look round. You can also get in touch through our contact page.
You may also find these pages helpful:
Frequently asked questions