Radis Homecare has apologised after a vulnerable woman was mistakenly served a meal intended for a visiting family dog. The company said it is "deeply sorry" following the incident involving staff who fed dog food to a Portsmouth woman.
Ombudsman investigation
A Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation determined the woman suffered "significant personal injustice". The unnamed woman was given dog food during the final months of her life by care workers contracted to deliver home care services on behalf of Portsmouth City Council. Both organisations have issued apologies.
The woman was also subjected to force-feeding and, on occasions, denied food entirely. She was left alone for "prolonged periods of time", and a 'Do Not Attempt Resuscitation' (DNAR) document was found "scrunched up in a cupboard".
Company response
A Radis spokesperson explained that a support worker "mistakenly" served a "vacuum-packed meal that was intended for a visiting family dog". The product was labelled as dog food and stored in the woman's freezer, commercially packaged in a way that resembled a human ready meal. Once heated, it had the appearance of human food.
However, the company acknowledged it "should have been checked and identified correctly" and that the "packaging may provide some context as to how the mistake occurred, but it does not excuse it". They added: "We fully acknowledge how shocking and distressing this was, and we do not seek to minimise or excuse what happened."
The support worker who prepared the meal is no longer employed by Radis, and a second staff member faced disciplinary proceedings. Radis stated it is "deeply sorry for the distress caused to the person we supported who was at the centre of this case and her family".
Actions taken
Radis said it has taken "significant steps" since the incident, including strengthened care planning, guidance on nutrition and hydration, medication oversight, record keeping, handling of DNAR documentation, staff supervision, and safeguarding escalation. The firm also enhanced safeguarding training for managers and team leaders, strengthened audit and quality-assurance arrangements, reviewed safeguarding and whistleblowing processes, and developed digital care-planning systems.
Radis confirmed it "made the decision to give notice on the Portsmouth contract and voluntarily withdrew from providing services on the 1st of December 2025". The company added: "We remain committed to upholding our values of professionalism, teamwork, integrity, innovation and excellence, and to ensuring those values are reflected consistently in the care and support we provide."
