POLICE Scotland and partner agencies in Greater Glasgow, the Lothians and Scottish Borders have introduced a scheme to help trace vulnerable missing people.
What is the Herbert Protocol?
The Herbert Protocol is a well-established initiative already used elsewhere in Scotland and the wider UK. It originated in Norfolk and takes its name after Normandy landings veteran George Herbert, who lived with dementia and died in 2011, after he went missing while looking for his childhood home.
How does it work?
The Protocol is simple to follow. It requires a detailed form to be completed by someone close to the vulnerable person, with vital information such as a recent photograph, contact details, routines and significant locations. This can then be provided to officers and used to save vital time in a missing person inquiry.
It is well known that every minute is crucial in tracing elderly missing people, and having the information readily available could be very helpful to the police.
The scheme is available to everyone registered with adult care services in the Greater Glasgow, Lothian and Borders areas including people living with dementia or similar conditions.
For relatives in a care home, staff there should be contacted initially by a family member to discuss filling in the Herbert Protocol form and it can then be included in an individual’s care plan
Families can fill out the forms for vulnerable relatives living at home who are at risk of going missing. For relatives at home, the paperwork can be obtained through any police station or can be downloaded from the Police Scotland website and should be stored within the home.
"Vital assistance to officers in search efforts"
Glasgow Chief Inspector Natalie Carr said: “Speed is of the essence in any missing person enquiry - the longer someone is missing, particularly if they are vulnerable, then the greater the risk to them.
“People go missing for a variety of reasons and when vulnerable people become lost, distressed or disorientated, it is something that causes considerable distress to loved ones.
“The Herbert Protocol ensures all relevant information can be passed quickly to police, and will provide vital assistance to officers in their search efforts."
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Leathes of the Public Protection Unit, said: “The Herbert Protocol form can be completed by a family member/carer and placed within the person's home or care setting.
“It ensures all relevant information can be passed quickly to police and will help officers implement a more focused search. It’s a very simple process, but the benefits of doing so could mean a lot – not only to the police but also the family and loved ones of the person reported missing.”
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Christine Proudfoot, Alzheimer Scotland dementia nurse consultant at NHS Borders, said: “Putting the Herbert Protocol in place for yourself or a loved one is ideally done shortly after receiving a diagnosis of dementia.
"It is important to identify key locations that have meaning to the individual such as places that are special to them or regular routines that they may have or have had in the past (for example, old childhood homes or routines like collecting children from school).
“When completed early, the Herbert Protocol can be used at any time in the event of a person going missing. Across the Scottish Borders, this is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the Herbert Protocol to people living with and caring for those with dementia at home or in any care setting.”
Professor Alex McMahon, executive director for Nursing Midwifery and Allied Healthcare Professionals, NHS Lothian said: “It is fantastic to see the Herbert Protocol being rolled out here in Lothian. It is a welcome step and a move that will no doubt offer some reassurance to many families. Completing the Herbert Protocol form may seem like a simple step, but it really could make a huge difference if a person goes missing.”
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