Elderly Woman Fed Dog Food by Care Workers

An investigation has been launched into a care provider after an elderly woman, referred to as Mrs. Y, was fed dog food by her caregivers. This incident occurred months before her death, following a period where her family reported prolonged neglect and inconsistent care. The care she received was later described as a "significant personal injustice" in an ombudsman report.

Mrs. Y, who had reduced mobility, received home care from Radis. Her family noted a "lack of management oversight," with staff allegedly not adhering to care plans and inaccurately recording visits. A critical "Do Not Attempt Resuscitation" document was found improperly stored. During this time, Mrs. Y suffered a mini-stroke, necessitating a soft diet.

Despite this, in mid-June 2026, a care worker observed another feeding Mrs. Y dog food, packaged as a "lamb dinner." The packaging was discovered in the kitchen. Attempts to report this were initially delayed, with a senior manager questioning the reporting worker why the food wasn't removed and the incident wasn't reported on the day it occurred.

Further allegations included footage showing a care worker force-feeding Mrs. Y. The council has apologized for the incident, accepted the ombudsman's findings, and terminated its contract with Radis. They stated that action has been taken against the care workers involved, and measures have been strengthened to oversee care providers.