When a person living with dementia goes missing, every moment counts. The longer they are away from their usual environment, the greater the risk of harm, whether through accident, illness or vulnerability to others.
What is the Herbert Protocol?
The Herbert Protocol is a simple but powerful safeguarding service; it is a national scheme to make sure that people with dementia who might wander off can be found and brought home safely. Police forces and emergency services across England and Wales use the Herbert Protocol as a proactive way to help when someone with dementia is reported missing. It is a free form that stores essential details about a person with dementia,
such as:
- A recent photograph and physical description
- Medication and health information
- Key contact numbers
- Places of comfort or familiarity from their past
MedicAlert, a UK charity providing medical IDs, serves as a vital support system for individuals living with dementia. MedicAlert has developed a free and accessible service for the public and emergency services in the UK, providing a database to store Herbert Protocols. Their secure digital platform ensures that protocols are readily accessible to the police during emergencies. Access more Information on the Herbert Protocol and MedicAlert here.https://www.medicalert.org.uk/support-from-medicalert/
Carers UK information and support
Carers UK Helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm (including Bank Holidays).
