Diabetes currently affects 3-6% of the European population. Diabetes and associated complications such as kidney failure, blindness and lower limb amputations create enormous suffering and impose significant costs on the European health care system (e.g. 10 billion in Germany, 5 billion in UK). Major clinical trials have demonstrated that the burden of diabetes and its complications can be dramatically reduced if intensive therapy is provided to lower patients blood glucose and blood pressure. This requires improved flow of information and improved co-operation by all healthcare professionals involved in the patients care and greater compliance of the patients involved.