‘Frank’s Law’ would see free care for under-65s

The Scottish Conservatives will lodge legislation to extend free care to under-65s with conditions such as dementia at Holyrood today.

A member’s bill brought forward by Tory MSP Miles Briggs seeks to implement the so-called Frank’s Law, named after footballer Frank Kopel.

Mr Briggs will be joined at the launch of the legislation by Amanda Kopel, wife of the former Dundee United footballer, who died in 2014 after a battle with dementia.

Frank’s Law aims to end the situation where people under 65 who have conditions such as dementia, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and cancer have to pay for the care they need.

Mr Briggs, the Conservatives’ health spokesman, said: “Frank died just after his 65th birthday but had been suffering from dementia for some years beforehand. For most of that time, it was his wife Amanda who had to provide and pay for the personal care he needed.

“Personal care means help with things like washing, dressing and meals.

“At present, you only have a right to free personal care if you are 65 or over. That seems to me unfair.

“My bill will make personal care free to anyone who is assessed as requiring it, no matter what age they are or what illness or condition they have.”

Frank Kopel: dementia