Member’s bill to extend free dementia care could be introduced this summer

A Holyrood member’s bill to introduce a law extending free care for dementia to patients under 65 will be launched in the summer, the Scottish Conservatives have announced.

Speaking at the party conference in Glasgow, mental health spokesman Miles Briggs said he’d met with Scottish Parliament authorities and would table the bill in coming months.

Frank’s Law is named after former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel, who passed away in 2014 after a battle with the illness.

His wife Amanda spoke at the conference to outline the importance of the law change, which all parties except the SNP support.

Mr Briggs previously announced he would act if the Scottish government failed to, particularly now there is majority support for Frank’s Law at Holyrood.

Mr Briggs said: “It is a shocking indictment on this SNP government’s record on health that terminally ill patients under the age of 65 are being charged for the basic help they need.

“Many patients and families have told me, when you’re on your deathbed, worrying about where you’ll find money to pay for vital care is the last thing you want to go through.

“That’s why Frank’s Law is needed today, it was needed yesterday, and I will not let the SNP kick this into the long grass.

“I’ve met with the Scottish Parliament’s bills team, and unless the Scottish government does something soon, I will be launching a member’s bill in the summer.”