Delegates unanimously support appeal for Frank’s Law

The SNP must act now to end the discrimination in free personal care, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have demanded.

Delegates yesterday backed Frank’s Law, which would give under 65s with debilitating conditions the same rights to state support as older people.

The campaign is led by Amanda Kopel, the widow of Dundee United legend Frank Kopel, and supported by The Courier. Frank was diagnosed with dementia aged 59 and his family had to pay about £300 a week to support him. When he turned 65, he was eligible for just 19 days of free personal care before his death in April 2014. The motion to force the Scottish Government to bring Frank’s Law onto the statute books was supported unanimously by members.

MSP Mike Rumbles said: “While Liberal Democrats were instrumental in introducing free personal care for the elderly, it is absolutely essential that action is now taken to ensure people under the age of 65 with a degenerative illness have access to the personal care and support they need.

“Frank’s widow, Amanda Kopel, deserves great credit for forcing this issue on to the political agenda and keeping pressure on the Scottish Government to act.”

The party also called for the Scottish Government and the Scottish Football Association to examine what support can be given to ex-pros with dementia and develop research into potential links between the sport and dementia.

There is growing concern that repeated heading of a football may cause brain injuries and lead to dementia.

Ministers have commissioned a feasibility study into extending free personal care, which is due to be completed in the summer.

MSP Mike Rumbles supports Frank’s Law.