Navigating the Cost of Care in Scotland: Expert Insights from Allison Dunning

The cost of care is, more often than not, the most significant element of a catastrophic injury claim. In Scotland, where the country’s geography and differing service levels cause additional challenges, the complexity of those claims is increased.

Allison Dunning, a long-standing care expert at Tessa Gough Associates, recently shared her experience in a Clyde & Co market update, one year on from the release of the law firm’s report: ‘The Cost of Care - Navigating the Storm’. Allison offered insights into how the Scottish care landscape is changing, and what that means for those handling Scottish claims.

In this article, we explore those developments and how our approach results in the right care recommendations for claimants across Scotland.

How the Scottish care landscape is changing

Covid, Brexit and wider economic pressures have caused years of rising care costs across Scotland. But while rates remain high, there are signs that this steep inflation is beginning to stabilise.

“While we’re unlikely to see rates falling, the inflationary bubble has burst to some extent. New providers have entered the market, and we’ve seen improved access to services - even in more rural areas.”

That’s a welcome shift for both solicitors and insurers, but it doesn’t mean the challenges have disappeared.

For individuals living outside of Scotland’s Central Belt, care costs are still significantly impacted by travel charges, which used to be included in the flat hourly rate but are now added on top. In some cases, travel can be a higher cost than the care itself.

A complex market for complex care

In Scottish cases, finding the right care at the right cost is a persistent challenge. Allison warns against simply defaulting to complex care agencies that operate across the UK.

“Often there are smaller agencies operating locally, even in areas that have been challenging to source - they just don’t show up unless you look.”

Here, then, claimant-specific research is vital.

Larger, national agencies offer the coverage and convenience needed, but they can charge high rates even for basic care - and they don’t always provide staff with appropriate experience. In some cases, family members are left stepping in to fill the gaps when support falls short.

A more flexible approach to Scottish care delivery

There are a growing number of online platforms that now aim to offer a more flexible approach to care delivery. These platforms match self-employed carers with clients, often at short notice, and give claimants the benefit of discussing their requirements with potential carers online in advance, rather than once they’re in their home.

For many claimants and families, this model goes some way towards solving the issues Allison outlines - greater choice, great transparency, improved continuity, and better availability in hard-to-reach areas.

Carers benefit, too - from higher pay and more autonomy. For case managers, the arrangement is less complicated than building a directly employed team from scratch.

The importance of local knowledge and individualised planning

In an environment where care costs are scrutinised and budgets closely managed, a one-size-fits-all approach no longer works - if it ever did. Every care plan must be tailored not just to the individual's needs, but also to their location, the availability of services and the options available through statutory provision.

“The best means of tackling inflated care costs is through detailed, claimant-specific research. Scotland’s geography makes it even more important to be flexible, creative and focused on what each individual actually needs.”

It’s an approach that aligns with recent court expectations - such as the guidance in Muyepa v Ministry of Defence - where an expert’s generic, over-inflated recommendations were strongly criticised.

In Scottish cases, where experts must consider that statutory support remains patchy, any report has to clearly explain what has been assessed, what’s available locally and why certain recommendations have been made.

Compiled with accuracy, delivered with care

At Tessa Gough Associates, our reports are always built on evidence, expertise and regional understanding.

Our team has in-depth experience of preparing expert reports for claims across Scotland, including in rural and remote areas. We know where to look, who to speak to and how to make sure that recommendations are both defensible and genuinely beneficial to the pursuer.

The cost of care in Scotland may no longer be spiralling, but challenges remain. For solicitors and insurers with Scottish cases, regional nuances must be recognised, and that comes from working with experts who understand them.

Allison Dunning and our wider team of expert witnesses at Tessa Gough Associates continue to provide carefully considered, evidence-based reports that reflect the realities of the Scottish care market and deliver better outcomes for all involved.