MANY of your readers will have diabetes, a serious condition that affects more than two million people in the UK.

Some people may have been treated poorly or received little support and advice, whereas others may have had excellent healthcare since diagnosis.

Diabetes UK is joining forces with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes and the Hansard Society to launch a new online public consultation to help assess the state of diabetes healthcare in your area and across the UK.

This is a chance for readers to give the Government information about local diabetes services from the grassroots. We would like as many people as possible to log on to www.diabetesdialogue.org.uk between 25 September and 31 October and choose a topic on which they'd like to comment.

Comments will form the basis of a report on the state of diabetes care in the UK that will be launched in the House of Commons in December 2005. Once your readers have submitted their opinions, we can hold the Government to account and work to ensure that improvements are made and people get the care they deserve.

DOUGLAS SMALLWOOD,

Diabetes UK