Frank’s Law widow hopes promises kept

Widow and Frank’s Law campaigner Amanda Kopel has said she hopes “no promises are broken” on the eve of the legislation’s introduction.

The expansion of free personal care (FPC) – which was previously only available to those aged over 65 – comes into force today.

It is often referred to as “Frank’s Law” after the former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel. He was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 59 and died six years later in 2014, weeks after qualifying for FPC.

Ms Kopel campaigned for new legislation which would mean anyone who is assessed by their local authority as requiring personal care will receive it free of charge.

On the eve of that coming into force, she posted on social media: “I did not break my promise to Frankie ... and I hope no promises are broken when it comes to FPC for everyone regardless of their disease, disability, illness or condition.

“There can be no postcode lottery, no excuses when it comes to people’s lives.”

The change comes after a private member’s bill brought forward by Miles Briggs, MSP, in 2017 received support at Holyrood.