It is estimated that 70% of people living with dementia will go missing at least once – and when this happens, every minute counts.
The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme to help find a person with dementia who goes missing. Our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses explain what is involved.
What is the Herbert Protocol?
When a person with dementia goes missing, it is vital that they are found and returned to their normal place of residence as quickly as possible. The longer they are missing, the greater the risk of them coming to harm – whether through accident, illness or dangers from other people.
The Herbert Protocol is a form that provides the police and other emergency services with essential information about the person with dementia if they go missing.
The form is completed in advance and a copy kept safely online and/or at the person’s home or care home. If the person goes missing, the form can be handed to the police, giving them the information they need to start searching straight away – rather than family and friends having to remember details in a stressful situation.
The form records important details about the person, including:
- physical description and a recent photograph
- medical information and details of any medication the person needs
- places that are significant to the person
- their daily routine
- previous addresses and places they might visit, for example former workplaces
- contact details for family and friends
How does the Herbert Protocol work?
The Herbert Protocol is a straightforward process:
- We recommend creating a Herbert Protocol account with MedicAlert and filling in the form online. If you would prefer not to register an account or fill the form in digitally, you can ask your local police force or a health professional for a paper copy.
- Fill in the form before any incident occurs. It can be filled in by a family member, friend or carer. Ideally, involve the person with dementia in completing the form. If this isn’t possible, it can be filled in on their behalf, in their best interests.
- Fill in all sections in as much detail as possible.
- Include a recent photograph of the person and update this regularly.
- If you complete the form online, it will automatically be saved securely in the Herbert Protocol database. There is no need to keep a printed copy, but you can if you wish.
- If you fill in the form on paper, keep a copy safely in the person’s usual place of residence. You could also give copies to other family members, friends, neighbours and carers.
- If the person with dementia goes missing and you have completed and saved their Herbert Protocol form online, the police will be able to search the national database for the person’s details.
- If you have not registered the form online, you will need to give a copy to the police.
- The police will use this information to direct their search efforts. The details will help them focus on places that are meaningful to the person.
Top tips
- Review the Herbert Protocol form every six months, or after any significant changes
- Keep the form somewhere obvious and accessible if you are using a paper version and tell others where it is
- Consider providing the person with dementia with additional identification, such as a MedicAlert bracelet or ID card
Benefits of the Herbert Protocol
For the person with dementia and their family
- Peace of mind of knowing there is a plan in place
- Reduced stress during an emergency
- A faster response, as searches can begin immediately
- More effective searching, targeting likely locations first
- A greater chance of finding the person quickly and safely
For the emergency services and healthcare professionals
- Important information is available immediately
- Resources can be used efficiently, focusing on the most relevant areas
- There is a consistent approach across different agencies
- Outcomes are better for people with dementia who go missing