Families urged to register with missing person scheme during World Alzheimer's Month
The Herbert Protocol offers key support for those living with dementia
As part of World Alzheimer’s Month, families of individuals with dementia are encouraged to register with the Herbert Protocol, a scheme designed to aid police in missing person cases involving vulnerable individuals.
The Herbert Protocol provides a simple and efficient way for families to maintain vital information readily accessible should a loved one with dementia go missing.
By signing up with Safe and Found Online, families can complete a form with crucial details, including medication requirements, mobile numbers, places previously located, and a current photograph.
This proactive preparation ensures swift access to necessary information without waiting until a crisis arises—enhancing the possibility of a swift and successful resolution.
Stephanie Ough, Safeguarding and Partnership Manager, emphasised its importance: “The Herbert Protocol is a simple, proactive tool that helps families have key information prepared and stored online if a vulnerable person goes missing in the future. It can also provide some relief to relatives at a very worrying time and result in swift and successful conclusion to incidents.”
Named after George Herbert, a Normandy landings war veteran who lived with dementia, this initiative in Staffordshire is managed through Safe and Found Online, offering free registration and use. Authorities access the information only if a person is reported missing.
Preventive measures such as this are crucial, and families are urged not to wait for a formal dementia diagnosis before engaging with the scheme.
For more details, visit the Herbert Protocol page via Safe and Found Online.
Staffordshire Police highlight the importance of acting swiftly in such cases, urging families to contact them by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency, without waiting 24 hours to report someone missing.
By participating in the scheme, families take an important step towards safeguarding their loved ones and ensuring timely support during potential crises.