The Herbert Protocol

Welcome to the Herbert Protocol, a national scheme to help make sure that people living with dementia who are at risk of becoming lost can be found and brought home safely. Police forces and emergency services across England and Wales use the Herbert Protocol as a kind and proactive way to help when someone with dementia is reported missing.

944k
944K+
Just under 1 million people living with dementia in the United Kingdom
missing
70%
people living with dementia will go missing at least once
year
40000+
people in the UK living with dementia are reported missing for the first time every year

Every year, at least 40,000+ people living with dementia are reported missing for the first time.

But in reality, these numbers could be higher. Official statistics from the National Policing Improvement Agency tell us that only a third of these cases are reported to the police.

People living with dementia also have almost double the chance of being injured or facing side-effects from comorbidities that are not being treated during the time they are experiencing confusion and disorientation.

Our Partners

We are proud to collaborate with a network of partners, including local police forces,
Dementia charities, and community organisations, all united in the mission to safeguard vulnerable people in the UK.

Herbert Protocol and MedicAlert

MedicAlert serves as a vital support system for individuals living with dementia. Their secure digital platform ensures that protocols are readily accessible to the police during emergencies. MedicAlert has developed a free and accessible service for the public and emergency services in the UK, providing a database to store Herbert Protocols.

MedicAlert

What is the Herbert Protocol?

The Herbert Protocol is a form that holds important information about a person living with dementia, including a description of what they look like, a recent photo, any medicine they take, important phone numbers to call, and places from their past where they find comfort and familiarity. This form is for being prepared to find people having different types of dementia if those people go missing.

Why is it called the Herbert Protocol?

This protocol is named after George Herbert, a brave soul and war veteran from the Normandy landings who lived with dementia. After he went missing a few times, his local police, Norfolk Constabulary, realised they needed a better way to look after vulnerable people. The idea was to step in early and lower the risks, which led to the Herbert Protocol being created.

Mr. Herbert tragically died in 2011 whilst in search of his childhood home. His legacy lives on in bringing kindness and safety to others who step into the unknown because of memory loss.

Inspector Neil Taylor, West Yorkshire Police

“From time to time people living with dementia may become confused about their location and be reported missing. A completed Herbert Protocol, securely stored with MedicAlert, allows the emergency services to access pivotal information to focus their efforts in locating people living with dementia that happen to go missing.”

Information for Police

Complete a Herbert Protocol Form

Create a profile with MedicAlert and complete the Herbert Protocol form within. You can manage and update it at anytime with ease.

Complete Form

Complete Form