Radis Homecare has apologised after a vulnerable woman was served dog food by care workers in Portsmouth. The incident, which occurred during the final months of the woman's life, was investigated by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, which found she suffered "significant personal injustice".
What happened
The woman, who has not been named, was given food meant for a visiting family dog. A Radis spokesperson said the 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, but its packaging resembled a human ready meal.
The spokesperson added: "It was labelled as dog food and should never have been served to the woman. The product was stored in the woman's freezer and was commercially packaged in a way that resembled a human ready meal. Once heated, it also had the appearance of human food."
Broader failures
The ombudsman investigation also found that the woman experienced force-feeding and, on occasions, received no food at all. She was left unattended for "prolonged periods of time", and a 'Do Not Attempt Resuscitation' (DNAR) document was discovered "scrunched up in a cupboard".
Radis acknowledged the failings, stating: "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.
Actions taken
Radis said it has implemented "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 company 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". Both Radis and Portsmouth City Council, which contracted the care, have apologised.
