Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care has launched its new initiative, Hear Today, Think Tomorrow, in aid of its chosen charity, Alzheimer’s Society.

Roger Esson, professional services audiologist at Scrivens, said one of the aims of the initiative is to highlight the broader wellbeing benefits of good hearing, such as supporting mental sharpness, reducing brain fatigue and maintaining social connections.

The Didcot Scrivens branch, located on Broadway, has also partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society to train its teams as Dementia Friends.

Sarabjoyt Kaur Minhas, regional fundraiser at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We’re delighted that Scrivens has been supporting Alzheimer’s Society since 2015 and that its staff are becoming Dementia Friends.

“Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative aims to change the way people think, act and talk about dementia.

“By attending an information session, Scrivens staff will have a better understanding of dementia and be inspired to make a difference for people affected in their communities.”

A spokesperson  for Scrivens said: “The link between hearing health and mental wellbeing makes acting sooner rather than later all the more important.

“Unlike some conditions, hearing loss has no cure, but it can be effectively managed with hearing aids.

“Evidence suggests that the sooner action is taken, the better the outcomes, both for hearing itself and for the wider cognitive benefits that come with it.”

To help people get started, Scrivens has created the Hear for You – Hearing hub, which includes an online hearing test.

More information can be found at the Scrivens website.

The Crown Inn in Pishill, in Henley in Oxfordshire, has finally invited customers back under the new ownership of John Bloomer and his wife Jane.

Grade II listed and roughly 500 years old, the pub in Stonor Road is in the heart of the Chilterns and has served as a coaching inn since the 15th century.

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But that long history was briefly interrupted when it came into the hands of 50-year-old comedian, actor and presenter Russell Brand in 2020, after he bought it in 2020.

Russell Brand, who is facing allegations of rape and abuse (Russell Brand/PA) (Image: Russell Brand / PA)

The celebrity is due to stand trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault alleged by four women, all of which he denied, over four to five weeks this year.

Mr Brand, who was once married to Katy Perry, had tried to get permission to convert the building and its surrounding outbuildings into a recording studio and offices.

This was met with fierce objections, however, and the proposal was dismissed by South Oxfordshire District Council.

After further failed attempts to convert it, villagers began to repair the pub was ‘left to rot’ and was in a state of disrepair.

General view of The Crown pub which was owned by Russell Brand (Image: SWNS)

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But The Crown Inn was given a second chance when it was sold to local businessman, Mr Bloomer, in April for £975,000, according to The Henley Standard.

Rebranding the stunning set up as a ‘heritage and wellness’ destination with six centuries of history in the Chiltern Hills, the new owners will bring a classic pub with gastro-Thai fusion dining, a ‘Wild Spa’ with outdoor saunas, luxury accommodation and event space in The Thatch Barn.

The new owners of The Crown Inn have been approached for comment.

The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) has been introduced at NHS Trusts in Reading, Oxford, and Buckinghamshire, and will soon launch in Frimley.

The service works by proactively identifying patients at risk after a fracture, assessing their osteoporosis risk, and providing ongoing support and treatment.

Steve McManus, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Acute Provider Collaborative, said: “We know that for people with osteoporosis that intervening early can make a huge difference to their outcomes, especially in the longer term.

“The nurse-led service now in place in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxford means we can spot people with the condition earlier, and get them the treatment and support they need – reducing the risk of it escalating into a more serious presentation – for example a hip fracture, with all the implications that can come with that.”

In just over a year, the service has identified and supported an extra 1,000 patients, resulting in estimated savings of £1.5 million across the Thames Valley region and nearly 2,000 hospital bed days avoided.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society worked out that in the single 12-month period they looked at, 200 potential future fractures have also been avoided.

The scheme was driven by the Acute Provider Collaborative, set up in 2023 to unite the efforts of several NHS trusts in the region, including Buckinghamshire Healthcare, Oxford University Hospitals, Royal Berkshire, and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.

The collaborative aims to implement shared best practices across the region to improve patient care.

Bobby Ancil, Head of Health Services Development at the Royal Osteoporosis Society said, “This investment in Fracture Liaison Services should be recognised and sustained as a model of excellent practice.

“Fracture Liaison Services are the gold standard for secondary fracture prevention, and evidence shows that well-resourced services reduce re fracture risk by up to 40 per cent while improving patient outcomes and driving long term system savings.

“Ongoing support and development of these services will be vital to improving bone health outcomes across the region.”

FLS teams proactively identify people who have suffered fractures, assess osteoporosis risk, and arrange DEXA scans to confirm diagnosis.

Patients diagnosed with osteoporosis are supported with treatment and follow-up care for up to 12 months.

Professor Kassim Javaid, Honorary Adult Rheumatology Consultant, Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust, and Clinical Lead for the project said: “It has been inspiring seeing the nurse leadership develop and drive the Fracture Liaison Service delivery so no adult with a recent fracture is left behind.”