1. The Herbert Protocol

2. The History of the Herbert Protocol
The Herbert Protocol initiative is named after George Herbert; he was a war veteran, who had dementia and sadly died while he was 'missing' on his way to his childhood home.  It’s designed to help carers of people with dementia and to ensure, if the person they care for goes missing, that police can quickly gain access to relevant information.

3. Scene Setting
There are currently 850,000 people in the UK who live with Dementia, 40,000 of these people are under 65.
Across Devon there are 13,000 people living with Dementia.
In South Devon there are 1,534 people diagnosed with an estimated prevalence of 2,500 people living with Dementia.
In Torbay there are 1,500 people diagnosed with an estimated prevalence of 2,500 people living with Dementia.
By 2020 there will be 1 million people in the UK living with Dementia.

4. What is The Herbert Protocol?
A scheme to support people whose relatives with dementia might go missing
The Herbert Protocol is a national initiative supported by the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Action Alliances and Police Forces across England, Wales and Scotland.
The Herbert Protocol was launched initially within Devon & Cornwall in Plymouth in October 2017.
The Protocol is a risk reduction tool which encourages families, carers, friends or neighbours to hold information about a person with dementia (or related illness) that may help in any search if they go missing. This includes details about medication, interests, previous addresses and workplaces, as well as a recent photo.
Information is kept by the individual/carers therefore no inputting is required and there are no data protection issues in relation to the storage and retention of data.

5. Costs of a High Risk Missing Person
The primary aim of the Protocol is to reduce the time that the person is missing and consequently minimise the risk of them coming to harm.
However there also high financial costs associated with a high risk missing person. The average cost to Police is approximately £5,945 however when the helicopter is required the average cost increases by £2550 to £8,493.
If the person then requires medical intervention or hospitalisation, the costs will increase

6. The Herbert Protocol

7. The Herbert Protocol

8. Devon Launch
Devon & Cornwall Police, Torbay Council, Devon County Council, Devon Partnership Trust CCG, the Alzheimer’s Society and Devon Carers are working together to launch the Herbert Protocol across Devon.
A multi-agency communication plan has been developed with the Corporate Communications Team across Devon & Cornwall Police and NHS.
The Protocol should be discussed with all newly diagnosed patients, and promoted to existing adults living with dementia and their carers to ensure that information can be quickly passed to the Police in the event of a missing episode

9. Next Steps
We will be attending both Torbay and Devon Care Providers’ Networks to further promote the Protocol.
The Protocol and information is available on Devon and Cornwall Police website cornwall.police.uk/advice/missing-persons/information-needed-to- find-the-missing-herbert-protocol/
There will be a follow up review of impact in 6 months and further promotion as required will follow this