An investigation by the Local Government and Care Service Ombudsman revealed a series of mistakes leading up to the death of an elderly woman who was mistakenly fed microwaved dog food. Identified as Mrs Y in the report, she received substandard care from GP Homecare Ltd, also known as Radis, in Portsmouth before passing away. Her family expressed deep distress over the inadequate and neglectful treatment she received, which left her with limited mobility and confined to her bed after a fall in April 2024.
In addition to the dog food incident, it was reported that Mrs Y sometimes went without food, received stale or inedible meals, and was left unattended for extended periods, including overnight and while wet. The ombudsman’s report highlighted that Mrs Y, considered an elderly adult needing care under the Care Act, relied on Radis for in-home support commissioned by Portsmouth City Council. Most of her care was administered from her bed, with workers responsible for food, fluids, personal care, and medication.
Concerns about Mrs Y’s care arose early on, prompting her son to file safeguarding complaints regarding deviations from her care plan. An investigation following a mini-stroke revealed that care workers were unaware of her dietary needs. Instances such as Mrs Y consuming almost no food on certain days and being fed mislabeled meals further underscored the lapses in her care.
As Mrs Y’s health deteriorated, her family sought alternative care arrangements, but her condition worsened, leading to the provision of end-of-life support by Radis. Allegations of mistreatment surfaced when footage from a home camera suggested a care worker force-fed Mrs Y. Tragically, Mrs Y passed away in July 2024 due to age-related frailty, with an inquiry exposing multiple deficiencies during her time under Radis’ care.
The Ombudsman’s scathing assessment detailed various errors in Mrs Y’s care, including inaccuracies in her care plan, lapses in documentation, poor communication protocols, and failures to adhere to her needs. The report recommended that the council issue an apology, refund care fees, and offer a symbolic payment to the family to acknowledge the delays in the investigation and the distress caused. Councillor Matthew Winnington accepted the findings, ending Radis’ contract and expressing regret over the substandard care provided.
Radis Community Care ceased operations in Portsmouth in 2025, emphasizing improvements in services and procedures while confirming the dismissal of the care worker involved in the dog food incident. A Radis spokesperson condemned the error, deeming it entirely unacceptable. The council has since enhanced its oversight of care providers, with recent positive evaluations from the Care Quality Commission reflecting improved service quality and community support.