HEALTH bosses have hailed the launch of a new initiative aimed at helping trace people who have dementia if they are reported missing.

The Herbert Protocol enables the police, health and social care chiefs and other partner agencies to work together on a document giving information that saves police time when they’re investigating a report of a missing person.

The document can be populated with vital information such as a recent photograph, contact details, medication required and significant locations relating to the individual.

West Dunbartonshire’s health and social care partnership (HSCP) and other partner agencies are now working with people who know or who look after someone who might be vulnerable to encourage them to complete the form.

Fraser Downie, integrated operations manager with the HSCP, said: “If you live with or care for someone suffering from dementia, I would urge you to consider completing a Herbert Protocol form even if the person has no history of going missing.

“If the member of your family is within a care setting, please discuss this with the care provider.”

The initiative is already up and running in many parts of the UK and was rolled out in neighbouring Argyll and Bute earlier this summer.

The form can be downloaded at scotland.police.uk/your-community/argyll-and-west-dunbartonshire where you can scroll to the Herbert Protocol section.

Superintendent Douglas Wilson from Police Scotland’s Argyll and West Dunbartonshire division said: “Across West Dunbartonshire, Police Scotland regularly responds to missing person reports.

"When dealing with complex vulnerabilities, including dementia, it is very important that we are able to quickly obtain important information to guide our enquiry at an early stage.

“We are delighted to see our partner agencies using and encouraging family to use this system to obtain information in advance in a way that can be provided to police should the need arise.

“This scheme can provide families with peace of mind knowing that they are prepared should they need to report a loved one missing.

“We hope our local officers will never need to ask for this information but experience of the Herbert Protocol in other parts of the UK has shown that by having this information to hand it will help us to protect vulnerable adults if they go missing.”