Thames Valley Police joins dementia campaign
The Herbert Protocol aids in locating missing individuals during World Alzheimer's Month
Thames Valley Police is supporting the Herbert Protocol awareness campaign this September, focusing on helping families affected by dementia prepare crucial information if a loved one goes missing.
The campaign, titled When Memory Wanders, runs from 13th to 30th September during World Alzheimer's Month, led by the MedicAlert Foundation.
The Herbert Protocol is a nationally recognised scheme encouraging carers and families to document vital details about individuals with dementia, such as previous addresses, favourite locations, routines, and medical information.
This information can greatly assist police efforts in swiftly finding missing individuals, as demonstrated in the case of a Thames Valley resident known as David, who was safely located using information from his Herbert Protocol record.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Hannam from Thames Valley Police’s missing and exploitation team said, "The Herbert Protocol is an incredibly valuable tool which can help us respond more effectively when a person living with dementia is reported missing."
"When someone goes missing, every minute matters. Having immediate access to accurate information about that person, their history, routines and places that may be significant to them can help officers make informed decisions and direct searches more effectively."
"We would encourage families and carers supporting someone with dementia to consider completing a Herbert Protocol before it is needed. Taking time to prepare this information in advance can make a real difference during what can be an extremely stressful and worrying situation," Simon Hannam said.
Rob Burley, Chief Executive Officer of MedicAlert Foundation UK, said, "When panic hits, a carer's mind can understandably go blank. Having important information prepared in advance helps ensure that vital details are immediately available when they are needed most."
"We believe everyone living with dementia deserves the protection and reassurance that a Herbert Protocol can provide," Rob Burley said.