Enhanced Herbert Protocol service now available in Bedfordshire
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An enhanced Herbert Protocol service is now available to high-risk vulnerable people in Bedfordshire living with dementia.
Bedfordshire Police works in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue and more recently Carers in Bedford, to ensure that vulnerable people in the county, who are at the risk of going missing, are located quickly and offered further wraparound support by partner agencies.
The current system involves information about the individual, along with a recent photo, being shared to the police control room.
A marker is placed on the address of the vulnerable person, so if the person is reported missing, the call handlers can see that they are vulnerable and are registered with the Herbert Protocol scheme, therefore enabling them to access the vulnerable person’s information quickly.
The additional service, as successfully established and developed over almost 10 years by Avon and Somerset Police, now includes dementia devices, such as lanyards, wristbands and tags for the vulnerable person to wear.
Should the individual go missing or get confused by their whereabouts, the devices have a QR code which returns a video of how to scan the device.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Eaton said: “I am of the view that the current Herbert Protocol system adopted by Bedfordshire is both effective and impactive in relation to someone who lives with dementia and is reported as missing.
“It is generally accepted that if a person who has dementia is reported missing, then a high-risk missing response is instigated, by having the Herbert Protocol set up with immediate access to vital information so the response can be timely and effective from the outset. In such cases timeliness is key, which not only saves time and effort but most importantly increases the opportunity to quickly and safely locate the individual.”
Nicky Burns, the force’s Mental Health Hub Manager, said: “Following the success of the Avon and Somerset Police scheme, which has received national and international awards, we have decided to offer dementia devices in Bedfordshire.
“The devices will be offered as an option to people who are registering with the Herbert Protocol scheme and have a diagnosis or are in the process of receiving a diagnosis of dementia – there is an additional section on the new form to request a device.
“We are hoping that this additional service gives more peace of mind to the family of someone with dementia who is at risk of going missing, and that these devices will help to reunite them with their loved ones quickly and safely.”
If you are living with, or are a family member, carer or loved one of someone living with, dementia, visit the Bedfordshire Police website to find out more.