Bosses at a Petersfield-area care home have shared their concerns with East Hampshire’s MP over changes to overseas recruitment for the sector.

Staff at Steep House told Damian Hinds they are deeply worried over proposed plans by the government to scrap social care visas to people from overseas.

The MP met residents and some of the home’s multi-cultural staff after responding to a letter about how the changes may affect a sector facing a “significant crisis in workforce shortages, underfunding and a rising demand for care.”

The care home is “very proud’ of its cultural diversity with staff from South Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, The Philippines, Nigeria and Romania in addition to those from the UK.

A spokesperson for the home said: “The aging population and the increase in the number of people with complex needs is putting a strain on the system.

“Care workers currently working in the sector are experiencing low wages, limited career progression and high workloads that contribute to the high turnover of staff and makes it difficult to recruit staff here in the UK.

“Losing the ability to recruit enough staff in care homes, means that the residents do not receive the quality of care they deserve as they approach the final years of their life.

“We hope the government will think again about these changes, the people they will affect, and reconsider.”

The home also had another special guest the following week with the mayor of Petersfield, Cllr Chris Paige, paying a visit as part of Care Home Open Week.

Cllr Paige learned a few things about the town, county and WWII during his visit, with the active Petersfield RBL member saying how “important it is to gather stories from residents about their wartime experiences” from those who served before they are lost.