Frank’s Law timetable branded ‘unacceptable’

People under 65 living with dementia have held on too long, says campaigner

Fearless campaigner Amanda Kopel has condemned the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce Frank’s Law by 2019 as “unacceptable”.

Mrs Kopel, the widow of former Dundee United hero Frank Kopel, has campaigned relentlessly for free personal care to be extended to those under the age of 65 living with a debilitating illness.

The campaigner said she felt like the “rug was pulled from under her” after learning the Scottish Government do not intend to implement Frank’s Law until April 2019.

Frustrated by what she views as an unnecessary delay, Mrs Kopel has vowed to fight to have the introduction brought forward.

Health Secretary Shona Robison has visited the campaigner’s Kirriemuir home to congratulate her on her efforts and to discuss details surrounding the implementation of Frank’s Law.

However, Mrs Kopel is adamant those under 65 living with illness like dementia have been told to “hang on” long enough.

She added while she would love to take a well earned rest, her quest will continue.

Passionate Mrs Kopel said: “I’m now into extra time because 2019 is not good enough for these poor souls (people under 65 living with debilitating illness).

“People were elated and then 24 hours later were told it is 2019, it has to be sooner.

“I feel that they have had 51 months to get something put into place, so when Nicola (Sturgeon) uttered those momentous words, her adviser should have been able to say let’s get this out there as soon as possible.

“It has to be changed to 2018. There’s going to be pressure on the government again to change this. I will not budge from getting this date changed.

“If you care, Nicola, and the party, then do what’s right for the people of Scotland.”

Mrs Kopel was given an emotional standing ovation at Tannadice on Saturday.

The United diehard took to the pitch before her beloved team’s clash with Dumbarton.

During the emotional acknowledgement, Mrs Kopel received rapturous applause from adoring Arabs and posed for pictures.

Reflecting on her afternoon, she said: “It was a very proud moment, a very emotional moment. “I have lots of special memories. “In the pre-match programme they asked me what I wanted to be put in and I asked for: ‘Frank’s Law, we did it’ because I wanted the word ‘we’.

“There are so many people who helped me get this out there, I didn’t do this on my own.”

Ms Robison said: “Having met Amanda on a number of occasions I completely understand her desire to see Frank’s Law implemented as soon as possible.

“We will of course seek to do this as quickly as possible, and by April 2019 at the latest, but it has to be done properly.

“This is a change that will benefit at least 9,000 people, and implementation will require a significant amount of work including assessment processes to separate personal and non-personal care, and putting the necessary legislative and guidance changes in place.”

“In the prematch programme they asked me what I wanted to be put in and I asked for: ‘Frank’s Law, we did it’ because I wanted the word ‘we’. AMANDA KOPEL

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Amanda Kopel was given a standing ovation when she addressed Dundee United fans on Saturday.