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An investigation revealed that an elderly woman was mistakenly given microwaved dog food by a home carer. The care worker from Radis Community Care had recorded the meal, taken from the client’s freezer, as a “lamb dinner.” A second carer later noticed the packaging and identified the error. This incident was one among several concerning care failures over a three-month period, which the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman described as “abysmal.”
Portsmouth City Council confirmed that it had ceased commissioning services from Radis Community Care, with both parties issuing apologies. The woman consumed only three mouthfuls of the dog food in June 2024, about a month before she passed away due to frailty related to old age. The packaging clearly stated that the food was a “fresh take on dog food” designed for “adult dogs and puppies.” Earlier, in April 2024, the council initiated a safeguarding inquiry following complaints from the woman’s family.
The inquiry uncovered serious issues, including instances where Radis staff had recorded visits that never took place, provided stale and inedible food, and left the woman wet or in the dark overnight. The report also noted that the woman’s Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) document had been found crumpled up in a cupboard. The investigation took six months to complete, far exceeding the expected timeframe of 28 days. The council had relied heavily on Radis’ internal investigation and failed to apply adequate scrutiny, despite Radis already being under a separate, broader inquiry concerning its overall performance. The report emphasized that safeguarding responsibilities remain with the council and cannot be delegated to external providers.
Amerdeep Clarke, the Ombudsman, described the situation as “truly shocking” and highlighted how the vulnerable woman’s care deteriorated over several months while the statutory inquiry lacked proper oversight. In response, Portsmouth City Council stated it had refunded the care fees, paid the family an additional £1,000, and terminated its contract with Radis ahead of schedule. It also committed to improving its monitoring of care providers and its response to safeguarding concerns. Radis Community Care said it had “voluntarily withdrawn” from providing services in Portsmouth by the end of 2025. The company claimed to have enhanced its services and procedures and confirmed that the carer involved was no longer employed. A statement from Radis admitted that mistakenly providing dog food was “wholly unacceptable.
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