On the 24th January, James Wild MP visited Docking House, a care home in Docking operated by Armscare Limited, to meet residents, staff, and management, as well as to learn more about the challenges facing local care providers.
This visit follows feedback received from Armscare in response to James’ Small Business Saturday Survey, which raised issues from in-house operations to broader national policy concerns.
Situated in the heart of the village, Docking House provides residential care for elderly and vulnerable individuals, offering specialised services such as dementia care, palliative care, day care, respite care, and short-term holiday stays. The purpose-built facility features 39 beds across single and shared rooms, landscaped gardens, and amenities such as in-house hairdressing and organised activities for residents to enjoy.
During the visit, James toured the facility with Mr. Raj Sehgal, Chief Executive of Armscare Limited, representatives from the Norfolk Care Association, and members of the Docking House team. He spent time learning about the dementia care unit, speaking with residents about their experiences, and listening to staff as they described the rewards and challenges of providing personalised care.
Discussions with management focused on key challenges facing the sector, including the impact of recent fiscal changes such as increased employer National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage, on which James has since voiced his criticism in Parliament, as well as the discrepancy between government funding of local authorities and the "fair cost of care," which has created unsustainable deficits for care providers.
The team also highlighted the role of skilled international workers in reopening previously closed beds and the pressures on smaller care homes, many of which are closing due to unfunded legislative changes that threaten their financial viability.
Commenting on the visit, James Wild MP said:
"It was great to have the opportunity to visit Docking House, see the dedication of the staff, and hear firsthand from residents about the vital care they receive. Seeing the relationships it fosters with its residents, it's clear that this facility is focused on providing high quality care. It was valuable to hear about the challenges raised by the team here, along with feedback from others."
Mr. Sehgal, Armscare Chief Executive Officer, said:
" We were delighted to welcome James Wild MP and Michael Millage (Norfolk Care Association) to Docking House, a dementia home set in the heart of Docking.
It was useful to discuss Norfolk’s unique challenges in resourcing the sector and enlighten James as to why so many smaller care homes are simply shutting due to additional unfunded legislative pressures. We also discussed key local challenges with James, which he has assured us that he will take up on our behalf.”
Docking House has been serving the local community for over three decades, providing high-quality care and creating a safe, welcoming environment for its residents. As one of the businesses that participated in James’ recent Small Business Saturday Survey, James’ visit to Armscare provided a valuable opportunity to build on his ongoing efforts to work with, and represent concerns of local businesses across North West Norfolk.
