Elderly diabetic patients are at especially high risk of developing hypoglycaemia, diabetic retinopathy, foot ulcers and infection. We have surveyed 100 elderly diabetic inpatients to assess level of diabetes supervision, prevalence of risk factors for complications, and uptake of chiropody and fundoscopic services. Of all the diabetic patients, 19% received no supervision. A large proportion (71%) had two or more risk factors for the development of foot complications, yet only 50% had seen a chiropodist within the preceding 12 months. Forty-eight per cent did not undergo annual fundoscopic examination and 14 patients were regularly taking long-acting oral hypoglycaemic agents. The results highlight the particular needs of elderly diabetic patients and a strategy should be devised to optimize the care of these patients.