Di Bennett gives an insight into what a Diabetes Educator working in the general practice setting can accomplish during a consultation. A holistic approach to diabetes care is needed to understand how an individual lives with and manages their condition. Complication screening and preventative strategies are important components of the patient’s visit; the presentation will offer some practical tips on how to conduct a comprehensive diabetes assessment and what complication screening can be attended in the primary care setting. Taking a holistic approach to diabetes care may sound labour intensive but it can be done informally during the consultation and may even save time down the track.