Salmond pushes for Frank’s Law

Former first minister seeks answers from health secretary

Alex Salmond has quizzed the Scottish Government on its progress towards Frank’s Law, describing current end of life care for dementia sufferers as “singularly inappropriate”.

The ex-SNP leader has written to health secretary Shona Robison asking her to bring him up to speed on support for people with early onset dementia, with free personal care only being available to over-65s.

Dundee United legend Frank Kopel died after a six-year battle with dementia and his wife Amanda, backed by The Courier, is campaigning for a fairer care system after the family had to pay for support at home until the final few weeks of the former footballer’s life.

Current guidance is for no one in the last six months of a terminal illness to be charged for the care they receive at home, which Amanda has previously slammed as decision-makers “playing God by predicting when people will pass away”.

She wrote a moving letter to Mr Salmond outlining the difficulties and ordeals her family went through trying to ensure Frank had a dignified life at home following his diagnosis.

In his letter to Dundee East MSP Ms Robison, Mr Salmond said: “I hope you will take the time to read Amanda’s moving account of her life with Frank and the impact that early onset dementia has, given that some of those who face this illness do not qualify for free personal care.

“Perhaps you could write to me with the Scottish Government’s latest thinking on this matter as the new position of identifying people within the last six months of their lives seems singularly inappropriate for those with early onset dementia, although of course it could be more relevant to other life-limiting conditions.”

The response, including an instruction for North East Scotland MSP Christian Allard to examine the campaign in more detail, delighted Amanda after the MP for Gordon and MSP for Aberdeenshire East copied her into it.

She said: “There is an army of others who are supporting Frank’s Law from all over Scotland. Now it’s time for the Scottish Government to listen to them, to me – and to Alex Salmond.”

Health secretary Shona Robison said: “I met with Amanda Kopel in January and recognise the concerns that have been raised by Mrs Kopel, and others, about fairer charging for social care.

“We are carefully considering what further action we can take to deliver fairer care for the people of Scotland.”

I hope you will take the time to read Amanda’s moving account of her life with Frank. ALEX SALMOND