An Garda Síochána and the HSE have officially announced their support for the Herbert Protocol, a scheme designed to help locate people living with dementia if they go missing.
The launch took place at the International Dementia Conference in the Athlone Springs Hotel.
The Herbert Protocol involves completing a form containing important information about a person living with dementia, including a recent photograph, details of medication, emergency contact numbers and places connected to their past where they may feel safe or familiar.
The information can then be quickly shared with Gardaí if the person goes missing, helping emergency services respond more effectively and safely.
The protocol was first introduced in the UK and has been used successfully by police and support agencies to help find vulnerable people living with dementia.
It is named after George Herbert, a war veteran who took part in the Normandy landings and later lived with dementia.
After Mr Herbert went missing several times, local police recognised the need for a better way to support vulnerable people and reduce the risks involved when someone disappears. The Herbert Protocol was developed as an early intervention tool to help locate people more quickly and safely.
An Garda Síochána and the HSE’s support of the Herbert Protocol will raise awareness of this initiative nationally and help support the over 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland. If a loved one is reported missing, the family hands this pre-completed form directly to An Garda Síochána. This eliminates the need for Gardaí to conduct lengthy interviews during the critical first hour of a search, allowing Gardaí to deploy resources immediately to the locations where the person is most likely to be found.
The launch marks a significant step in community policing and integrated healthcare, ensuring that when a vulnerable person goes missing, the state’s response is both rapid and informed.
Commenting on the initiative, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing & Community Engagement, Catharina Gunne said:
“An Garda Síochána works continuously with our partners to preserve and improve the safety of all members of our society. Our work with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, AGE Friendly Ireland, the HSE and other stakeholders has led to the adoption and support of the Herbert Protocol in An Garda Síochána, to ensure we meet the needs of the community and keep people safe.
“The Herbert Protocol has proven to be a very useful mechanism for sharing vital information in the early stages of an incident where a vulnerable person goes missing, and it is the hope of An Garda Síochána that the use of the Herbert Protocol in Ireland will provide some relief to families and carers at a very stressful and worrying time, resulting in swift, successful conclusions to incidents of missing loved ones.”
Paul Maloney, National Dementia Services, HSE said:
“Dementia affects the individual, and the entire family unit. Worrying about a loved one wandering is incredibly stressful for families. To help, we are using the Herbert Protocol, and it is fantastic to see An Garda Síochána embracing the use of this tool. It is a simple, proactive tool that helps families prepare key information. It ensures that if a loved one has gone missing, Gardaí have everything they need to start searching immediately, helping to keep vulnerable people safe while supporting their independence”
Kim Tully, CEO of Engaging Dementia said:
“Engaging Dementia is delighted to see the Herbert Protocol receive support from the Gardaí and the HSE. This protocol, and dignity to the person suffering from dementia, ensures that if a person becomes disoriented, their history and habits are already known to those who are searching for them. It is about preparedness, not panic.”
The Herbert Protocol form is now available for download from https://www.garda.ie/and https://herbertprotocol.com/. Families are encouraged to keep a printed copy in a prominent place at home and to provide a digital copy to trusted family members.
