What is a Care, Aids and Equipment Report?

When someone sustains an injury or illness, it can alter their life completely – and sometimes irreversibly. A serious accident or recovery from disease can leave individuals changed both mentally and physically. The road back to health can be long and difficult.

After major surgery, trauma, or illness, a person may need significant support and rehabilitation. Their home environment may need to be adapted, and specialist equipment might be required – both now and in the future. In these cases, a care, aids and equipment assessment is carried out by a professional expert witness to identify the right level of care and the most suitable aids and equipment for ongoing support.

What is a care, aids and equipment report?

A care, aids and equipment report outlines the impact of a claimant’s injury. It details the care they have received in the past, what they need now, and what will be required in the future. It also includes recommendations for aids and equipment to support daily life – from specialist furniture and home adaptations to mobility or personal care aids.

To produce the report, a Tessa Gough Associates expert witness will carry out a home visit and review any relevant documentation. They assess the claimant’s daily living challenges and make practical, evidence-based recommendations – which may include changes to the home or vehicle.

The report also considers costs associated with the proposed care plan and recommended equipment, ensuring the claimant can be fairly and appropriately compensated.

Why would someone need a care, aids and equipment report?

After a traumatic injury, everyday life can be permanently affected. For the individual and their family, understanding what comes next can feel overwhelming. A care, aids and equipment report provides clarity – identifying the right support, minimising the risk of further injury, and helping the claimant regain as much independence as possible.

Just like a liability report, this is also a vital document in legal proceedings. Compiled by a trained expert witness, it presents a clear and structured view of the claimant’s needs, supporting fair and accurate case outcomes.

What kind of equipment might be recommended?

Tasks we often take for granted – like getting dressed or making a cup of tea – can become difficult or impossible after injury. The report may recommend equipment such as:

• ›A commode (chair with hidden toilet)
• ›Raised toilet seats
• ›Slip mats for baths or showers
• ›Grab rails
• ›Easy-turn tap handles
• ›Kettles with holders for safer pouring
• ›Cutlery with adapted handles
• ›Bed rails or leg lifters
• ›Reclining or rise-and-recline chairs

In more complex cases, larger adaptations such as stairlifts, ceiling hoists, incontinence pads, adapted cars, or communication aids may also be required.

About Tessa Gough Associates

All of our expert witnesses are highly qualified, experienced professionals working across disciplines including nursing, mental health, and occupational therapy. Before joining our panel, every expert receives extensive training, mentorship, and ongoing peer support from our quality assurance team.

Whether your case involves complex care needs, specialist equipment, or multiple disciplines, we will match you with the right expert witness to deliver a high-quality care, aids and equipment report.