In Peterborough all hip fracture patients are admitted to the acute trauma ward and transferred to the care of the Chief Investigator (Mr Martyn Parker (MJP)). Those patients that are willing to participant in this randomised trial are consented prior to surgery. Treatment follows standard evidence based protocols with follow-up of all patients in a hip fracture clinic. A comprehensive database is maintained for all patients containing both audit and research data. Included in this is a standardised assessment of outcome.