Dementia Choir spell out life-saving measures for people living with condition

Nottinghamshire Police has joined forces with BAFTA award-winning actress Vicky McClure and the Dementia Choir to help save the lives of those suffering with the condition.

The partnership is calling on those who care for people with dementia to fill out the potentially life-saving Herbert Protocol form for if their loved ones ever go missing.

The form contains vital information to help police trace a missing person with dementia as quickly as possible and protect them from harm.

A video has already been released about the Herbert Protocol, which was introduced by choir founder and chair, Vicky McClure.

She will be working on other initiatives going forward to raise awareness of dementia in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Police.

Speaking during a rehearsal session at Portland College earlier this month, Choir Manager Karen Bonser explained:

“One in three people will develop dementia in their lifetime so this really is an issue that will affect many more people’s lives in the future.

“Working in partnership with the police we want to make Nottinghamshire the most dementia friendly place in the country and to do all we can to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“I urge people to take action right now to file a Herbert Protocol form with Nottinghamshire Police.

“The form contains vital information to help police if a person with dementia goes missing very quickly. This will help officers to quickly and safely locate them before they can come to harm.”

Inspector Jemma Connor-Iommi, speaking on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“We are very aware of just how vulnerable people living with dementia can be and want to do all we can to keep them safe.

“Whilst loved ones and carers shouldn’t think twice about calling us in an emergency, I also want to stress to people the importance of completing a Herbert Protocol form via our website.

“From experience, I know just how important it is for us to have all the information we need – like a photograph and information on favoured locations – as soon as possible.

“Minutes really do count, particularly in the colder and darker months of the year, and this information really could make the difference between a positive and a tragic outcome.”

To complete the Herbert Protocol form, please visit Herbert Protocol form (nottinghamshire.police.uk)