An investigation by the Local Government and Care Service Ombudsman revealed a series of mistakes in the care provided to an elderly woman before her passing. Referred to as Mrs Y, she received substandard care from GP Homecare Ltd, also known as Radis, in Portsmouth. Her family expressed deep distress over her deteriorating condition, which was exacerbated by improper care following a fall.

Reports highlighted concerning incidents such as Mrs Y being fed dog food, receiving inadequate and inedible meals, and being left unattended for extended periods. The care she received at home, commissioned by Portsmouth City Council, was meant to assist her with everyday tasks due to her reduced mobility from a previous stroke.

Issues with her care were flagged early on by her family, leading to formal complaints about deviations from her care plan. It was later discovered that care workers were not aware of her dietary requirements post-stroke. Instances of improper feeding, including feeding her dog food and mislabeling meals, further compounded the inadequate care she received.

As Mrs Y’s health declined, plans to move her to a different care facility were postponed, and end-of-life care was initiated. However, additional concerns arose during this period, including allegations of force-feeding captured on home camera footage. Tragically, Mrs Y passed away in July 2024 due to age-related frailty, unveiling a series of systemic failures during her time under Radis’ care.

The ombudsman’s report detailed a range of deficiencies in Mrs Y’s care and recommended actions to address the family’s distress. Portsmouth City Council acknowledged the gravity of the situation, terminated its contract with Radis, and offered apologies and compensation to the family. Efforts to enhance oversight of care providers have been implemented since the incident, with a recent positive rating for adult social care services.

Radis Community Care voluntarily ceased operations in Portsmouth in 2025 and pledged improvements in service delivery and protocols. The company distanced itself from the care worker involved in the dog food incident, condemning the unacceptable error.