campaigners for “Frank’s Law” the roll-out of free personal care to under 65s with debilitating illnesses will have to wait until next year to find out if their bid will be successful.
Health Secretary Alex Neil has confirmed a review into how many people have fallen through the cracks will not be completed until 2015.
Dundee United legend Frank Kopel died in April having been diagnosed with vascular dementia and alzheimer’s six years ago, when he was aged just 59.
His wife Amanda has fought for free care to be extended to under-65s with dementia for years and Mr Neil visited the couple at their Kirriemuir home just weeks before Frank’s death.
A joint review by the Scottish Government and Cosla is now under way, but Amanda has accused ministers of dragging their heels.
Mr Neil said: “It’s a two-stage approach, we have to quantify what the problem is and then, based on that information and in consultation with Cosla, we will decide what needs to be done to close any gaps.
“The study is due for completion at the end of the calendar year so I would imagine it will be some time next year when we will hopefully be able to define exactly what we need to do.”
Mrs Kopel accepted there was due process to go through but expressed frustration at a lack of progress.
She said: “I went to parliament on September 23 last year. We are now a year down the road. How long is this going to take?”