An elderly woman in Portsmouth was mistakenly fed microwaved dog food during a period of care described by an ombudsman as involving “abysmal failures”.
An elderly woman in Portsmouth was mistakenly fed microwaved dog food during a period of care described by an ombudsman as involving “abysmal failures”.
A report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found a Radis Community Care worker took the food from the woman’s freezer, heated it and recorded it in her daily care log as a “lamb dinner”.
The packaging reportedly stated that it was dog food and was suitable for adult dogs and puppies.
The woman ate three mouthfuls before another care worker noticed the packaging and realised what had happened.
The incident took place in June 2024, around a month before the woman died from frailty of old age.
However, investigators found the mistake was part of a much wider series of concerns surrounding the care she received over several months.
Portsmouth City Council’s safeguarding investigation identified concerns that some visits may have been recorded despite not taking place.
It also found the woman had allegedly been given stale or inedible food, left unattended for long periods and, on occasions, left wet or in darkness overnight.
Her food and fluid intake was not always properly monitored, while medication was reportedly left in a way she could not access independently.
The family also discovered her Do Not Attempt Resuscitation document scrunched up inside a cupboard, with care workers unaware of its details.
The ombudsman criticised Portsmouth City Council’s handling of the case after its safeguarding inquiry took six months to complete. The council’s own target was 28 days.
The report found the authority had relied too heavily on the care provider’s internal investigation and had failed to provide sufficient independent scrutiny.
Ombudsman Amerdeep Clarke described it as a “truly shocking case” and warned councils could not outsource their responsibility to protect vulnerable people.
Portsmouth City Council has accepted the findings, apologised to the family and refunded the woman’s care fees for the period investigated.
It has also made payments totalling one-thousand pounds to recognise the distress caused and delays in the investigation.
The council said it had ended its contract with Radis early and no longer commissioned services from the company.
Radis Community Care said it voluntarily withdrew from providing services in Portsmouth at the end of 2025.
The company apologised and said the feeding of dog food was “wholly unacceptable”. It added that the worker involved was no longer employed and improvements had been made to its procedures.
WEST SUSSEX RESIDENTS INVITED TO SHAPE PLANS FOR A GREENER, MORE RESILIENT COUNTY
BARNS GREEN VILLAGERS CELEBRATE AS 68-HOME DEVELOPMENT IS REJECTED
TEENAGER FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING JOSHUA INGRAM AT SEAFORD STATION
Police say 25 arrests were made during Brighton and Hove Pride
New Highway Rangers launched to spruce up West Sussex streets
Four Hampshire police officers investigated after Portsmouth man dies
Free seaside gym proposed for East Saltdean Undercliff
Young driver dies following single-vehicle crash near Thakeham
Eastbourne lifeboat joins rescue of 157 people after boat catches fire in Channel
Campaigners denied permission to appeal over Gatwick Airport expansion
On Air