Free care will be available to anyone who needs it, following a long campaign by former footballer Frank Kopel's widow
Free personal care will be available to all Scots who need it from this week.
The new policy ensures free personal and nursing care will be available throughout Scotland regardless of age, conditional of a needs assessment. Free care was previously only available to those aged 65 and over.
A campaign for the new social care entitlement, known as Frank’s Law, was spearheaded by Amanda Kopel, the widow of former Dundee United footballer Frank, who was diagnosed with dementia at 59. The family spent hundreds of pounds a month for his care over the following six years. Frank died 19 days after his 65th birthday, when he was finally eligible for free personal and nursing care.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman visited the Capability Scotland Edinburgh Hub to mark the expansion.
Sturgeon said: “I’m very pleased that this legislation is now coming into effect, ensuring that all those who require personal care are able to access it free of charge, regardless of their age, condition or income.
“This change will help thousands of people across Scotland receive the support that they are entitled to without being impacted financially.
“I’d like to thank Amanda Kopel, Frank’s widow, for her tireless work bringing to public light the issues of personal care for under 65s. She has ensured this remained prominent in the public’s mind and she should feel very proud that it is now being delivered.”
The expansion of free care has been welcomed by Age Scotland, who have also highlighted that more support will be needed.
Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s chief executive, said: “Frank’s Law is positive news for people with disabilities or long term conditions and their families. However, we know that our health and social care system is under immense pressure to recruit and retain care staff as well as paying for the current level of expected service. As we’re ageing faster than the rest of the UK and people are living longer with multiple health conditions there will be further pressure on the system in years to come which must be addressed sooner rather than later.
“We know from calls to our free helpline that older people already have long waits for their free personal care assessments, so while Frank’s Law will provided greater support and coverage for the thousands of Scots who need it, an honest assessment of the resources needed to deliver good quality social care for all must be had. This will include ensuring there is enough money to recruit and retain the growing numbers of trained care staff required to keep our nation’s health and social care system afloat for years to come.”
