Betty introduced Alison and Fiona.

Alison said that they were both transferred from NHS Direct WALES and now work with the Ambulance Service across Wales. Their role is to engage with the general public, service users, the voluntary sector, ambulance service and NHS Trusts. They listen to peoples' /patients' views, opinions, complaints and experiences to improve the service. There is a "Readers Panel" which constructively comments on the leaflets they produce and if they are found to be unsatisfactory they are discarded. They work with ambulance personnel, working and linking with Steve Roberts with to promote and extend the First Responders teams in areas where they are needed.

Their work covers the whole of Wales. They are a team of ten and their line manager is Leanne Morgan. Alison said that their team has amalgamated with the Ambulance Service. Their role is to educate and they want to devise a leaflet and a poster re-advertising First

Responders to the general public and communities; the aim being to recruit new members and to encourage people to clearly number and/or name their properties making it easier for the ambulance personnel to find an address in an emergency. When they have completed the leaflet they would be grateful for "feedback". They said that money was an issue (it is in short supply!) but may be able to help financially. Fiona said that the  leaflet would be "National". Fiona added that they are encouraging First Responder recruitment in areas of Wales where there are a high numbers of 999 calls.

They collect "stories" from the the public in "print". They are also collecting digital recordings of stories where people have spoken of their . experiences both positive and negative. Alison would like a "story" from the Pennard First Responders recording our views of training, call experiences, and what we "get out" of responding to emergencies. They would also like to get a story from a patient who would be willing to tell their experience of the service. She said that they have a good rapport with the Health Boards and would pass on the "stories " to them. Fiona added that they can put pictures on their web site and they currently have a DVD of stories from the public that they were willing to lend to Pennard First Responders. Betty thanked them and said that she would pass the DVD around. Alison and Fiona said that they would hope to do a DVD of "the life of a First Responder".

Alison said that they have a Video Recording Equipment and Steve said that maybe recordings could be made of AEDs. Alison emphasised that they would like "stories" from the First Responders.

Fiona showed a calendar that had been printed in North Wales promoting 999 calls. The calendar demonstrates road signs, house numbers, etc, and emphasises the importance of addresses being clear and concise. This has been distributed to schools in that area to promote the message. They have also developed leaflets containing information, e.g. Bereavement, etc, that ambulance personnel can leave at calls. Alison said that they were leaving information packs for the PFR team to read re numerous "Panels".  Betty said that if members wished to join any panel Steve Roberts should be informed of their involvement.

Gary asked Alison and Fiona about their backgrounds. They said that they were not medically trained; however Partners in Health had provided Health Promotion and Health Care information and education. Gary asked if they have any "teeth" i.e. "clout" or influence to change things within the Trusts. They said that they had "ways and means " but did not elaborate on this subject. Gary was assured that PFR would not be expected to be fund any of the initiatives.

Betty thanked Alison and Fiona for attending the meeting and said that she would arrange for them to attend a future meeting.

They left information leaflets and a "story" DVD for the First Responders to see. The DVD will be passed around to the team by Betty.