Diabetes UK reports that there is currently a population of 2.8 million known diabetics in the UK.1 The UK prevalence of diabetes in men aged 65-74 years increased from 5.8% in 1994 to 15.7% in 2006, while that in women increased from 4.8% to 10.4%. Type 2 diabetes is a complex, multifactorial and progressive metabolic-cardiovascular syndrome. Achieving well-defi ned targets in type 2 diabetes in the primary care setting is a considerable challenge.