An investigation found that in June 2024 an elderly Portsmouth woman known as Mrs Y was mistakenly fed cooked dog food by a home carer and ate three mouthfuls before the error was detected. A safeguarding probe earlier that year had already uncovered missed visits and poor standards of care, including inedible food and periods when she was left unattended. Portsmouth City Council refunded the family's care costs, paid £1,000 in compensation and ended its contract with Radis Community Care; Radis apologised and says it has taken corrective steps.
Portsmouth Care Scandal: Elderly Woman Fed Cooked Dog Food, Inquiry Finds Multiple Failings
A senior woman being fed by a caregiver (stock image)Credit: Getty
An elderly Portsmouth resident, identified only as Mrs Y, was accidentally fed cooked dog food by a home carer in June 2024 and consumed three mouthfuls before the error was noticed, according to local and national reports.
The woman had reduced mobility after a fall earlier in 2024 and suffered a ministroke (a transient ischemic attack), which increased her risk of choking. Her family and Radis Community Care, the agency contracted to provide at‑home support, agreed she required a soft‑food diet.
How the Error Occurred
In June 2024 two carers visited Mrs Y's home. One prepared and fed a meal that was later discovered to be a commercial cooked dog food product; the other carer noticed the mistake after seeing the packaging in the kitchen and reported the incident. The product wrapper reportedly stated it was 'for adult dogs and puppies' and was marked as a 'fresh take on dog food.'
Investigation Findings
A safeguarding investigation — which began after Mrs Y's family raised concerns earlier in 2024 — found multiple shortcomings in her care. The inquiry reportedly found that some visits recorded by staff did not take place, that the woman was given stale or inedible food, and that she was on occasions left unattended for prolonged periods and sometimes left wet or in darkness overnight. Investigators also found her Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) paperwork crumpled in a cabinet.
A woman being fed by a caregiver (stock image)Credit: Getty
Amerdeep Clarke of the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman described the case as 'truly shocking.'
Mrs Y died in July 2024; the coroner recorded the cause of death as 'frailty of old age.' The reports do not say the dog food caused her death.
Responses and Consequences
Portsmouth City Council said it refunded the family for the cost of care and paid an additional £1,000 in recognition of the distress caused. The council also terminated its contract with Radis Community Care and said it no longer commissions services from the provider. Radis said it had withdrawn services in Portsmouth 'voluntarily' at the end of 2025.
A Radis spokesperson apologised and called the incident 'wholly unacceptable.' The company said the support worker who prepared the meal is no longer employed by Radis and that the second employee faced disciplinary action following an HR investigation. The provider added it had taken steps to learn from the case and to reduce the risk of similar incidents happening in future.
Councillor Matthew Winnington, cabinet member for community wellbeing, health & care, said the care described in the report 'is not the standard anyone should expect' and that the council had strengthened oversight of care providers since the events, including closer monitoring and clearer escalation procedures for serious concerns.
This case has prompted wider discussion in the UK about quality control, monitoring and accountability in outsourced home‑care services for vulnerable older adults.
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