Have you heard of the Herbert Protocol?

The Herbert Protocol is a risk reduction tool to help Police in their search for people with dementia who go missing.

The Herbert Protocol is a form that contains vital information about the person. It can be filled in by the person with dementia, their family or their carers. The completed form should be kept safe by carers, family or friends where it can be found quickly if they do go missing.

The form is only used if the person does go missing so is not kept with Police before then.

The form should be kept up to date with a recent photo of the person.

THe Herbert Protocol is designed to collect most of the information required for a missing person in slow time, rather than at the time of the incident, so that it can be passed quickly to Police if needed.

Electronic versions are preferable as they can be sent quickly by e mail but hard copies are available and can be used if they have no access to e mail.

A link to the form can be found on the North Yorkshire Police website.

If you know anybody with dementia the Herbert Protocol is a tool that will provide you with peace of mind and reassurance that should the individual ever go missing from home the Police can respond quickly and effectively.