Diabetes UK has launched Action today, health tomorrow, a campaign to address these serious problems in diabetes care.

-- Only just over half of people with diabetes realize it can lead to heart disease and death - yet 95 per cent of diabetes care is self care.

-- Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness - yet treatment can prevent blindness in 90 per cent of those at risk if applied early and adequately.

-- At least 80 per cent of children are not reaching recommended blood glucose levels - leaving them at increased risk of heart disease, blindness and stroke in later life.

Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK said, "Improvements are being made in diabetes care in England but there is still a long way to go."

"The government has set targets for eye screening and the NHS must now deliver on those. Proper education programs are being developed but local doctors and nurses will need help to ensure their patients can get access to them. And children's services in too many areas are not responding to the needs of children and parents."

He continued, "In order to keep people with diabetes healthy in the future, we have to make sure that they get the care they need now."

As part of its Action today, health tomorrow campaign Diabetes UK is demanding that the NHS, with support from the national governments, ensures that:

-- All people with diabetes are provided with the education they need to enable them to manage their condition on a day-to-day basis.

-- All people with diabetes have their eyes checked annually.

-- All children with diabetes are provided with access to local high quality specialist care.