Time’s come for Frank’s Law

On Sunday, politicians across the UK paused their general election campaigning to pay tribute to Jo Cox who was brutally murdered a year ago during the Brexit referendum campaign.

Elections are, by their nature, divisive. Parties concentrate on the things upon which they disagree to show the choice on offer to the voters.

But as Jo herself had argued, and her husband and supporters continue to plead, there are many things which politicians can and should agree on. And even if they can't, then they should at least agree to disagree without resort to abuse or rancour.

Here in Scotland, there is an issue which has the potential to unite our politicians and to right a long-standing wrong.

It is the treatment of people suffering from a life-limiting illness and their rights or not to receive funding for their personal care.

The campaign to deal with this is Frank's Law. It was set up following the death of the former Dundee United footballer, Frank Kopel.

Let me quote from their website: “At present, anyone under the age of 65 who requires personal care for their dementia, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, cancer, progressive supranuclear palsy (or any other degenerative brain disease) has to fund the cost of the care themselves.

“That person, will, in all probability (through no fault of their own) have lost their job, lost their income, has yet to reach pension age, and their carer (who is usually a family member) will also have given up their job to care for their loved one. However, for those over the age of 65, that personal care is free.

“But no disability, illness, condition or disease waits until a person reaches the age of 65, and then strikes."

Amanda Kopel, Frank's widow, has experienced this injustice at first hand. She spoke movingly and passionately at the Scottish Conservative conference in the spring.

As she has said: “Dementia came to our door as a very uninvited guest, when my beautiful husband Frankie, who was my best friend and soulmate, was diagnosed with dementia when he was 59. The six years which followed, until the day he died in my arms on April 16, 2014, both Frankie and I encountered first hand the discrimination which existed against vulnerable people under the age of 65.

“I began the campaign in June 2013 as the present law (which had been introduced in 2002) stated that anyone over the age of 65, when assessed as requiring personal care, should not have to pay for it.

“Frankie did not need personal care at point of diagnosis, but as the dementia deteriorated that was when he needed personal care.

“Only one day separates the difference between paying for personal care and getting it free. It does not matter whether you are aged 64 or 65, the care will be the same. I do not want anyone under the age of 65 to go through the battle which Frankie and others went through and be discriminated against because of the age on their birth certificate."

There is a growing consensus that we must remove the discrimination. The Scottish Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats have committed to such action. The Scottish Government in the shape of the SNP have so far committed to a feasibility study – but it is time for more. It is time for action. It is time for all our politicians to come together. It is time for Frank's Law to become a reality. So when the dust has settled after June 8, it is time for all parties to sit down in the spirit of Jo Cox, and take action for Amanda and Frank Kopel.

But no disability, illness, condition or disease waits until a person reaches the age of 65, and then strikes