An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have officially launched their support for the Herbert Protocol, a vital safety initiative designed to assist in the rapid location of people living with dementia who go missing.

The announcement was made today at the International Dementia Conference in Athlone. The protocol is a simple document that families and carers complete in advance, containing a recent photograph, medical information, contact details, and significant locations from the person's past where they might seek comfort or familiarity.

There are currently over 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland. If a loved one is reported missing, the family can hand this pre-completed form directly to Gardaí. This eliminates the need for time-consuming interviews during the critical "golden hour" of a search, allowing resources to be deployed immediately to high-probability areas.

The protocol originated in the UK and is named after George Herbert, a Normandy landings veteran who lived with dementia. After he went missing several times, his local police developed the system to proactively manage the risks faced by vulnerable individuals.

The Irish adoption of the protocol marks a major milestone in community policing and integrated healthcare, ensuring a swift and informed state response. Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne (Roads Policing & Community Engagement) commented:

"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. It is the hope of An Garda Síochána that [this] will provide some relief to families and carers at a very stressful and worrying time, resulting in swift, successful conclusions."

Paul Maloney of HSE National Dementia Services added: "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."

The initiative has been warmly welcomed by advocacy groups. Kim Tully, CEO of Engaging Dementia, noted that the protocol provides dignity to those suffering from dementia by ensuring their history and habits are known to search teams. "It is about preparedness, not panic," she stated.

The Herbert Protocol form is now available to download from the official Garda website and herbertprotocol.com. Families are encouraged to keep a printed copy in an accessible place at home and share a digital version with trusted relatives.