Background An accurate diabetes register enables a general practice to effectively monitor and manage the services for their patients with diabetes. This pilot project builds on the National Primary Care Collaboratives Program (a quality improvement programme for general practice) as the first change principle for managing chronic diseases. Objectives The main aim of the project was to improve the systems management of electronic registers of people with diabetes in the general practice setting. The pilot project assessed the uptake, awareness and confidence levels amongst practice staff in improving the diabetes register. Method This was completed by conducting a survey of general practitioners and practice nurses within one general practice in Perth, Western Australia. In addition, focus groups per and post intervention were facilitated to obtain practice staff 's views upon the issues around maintaining an efficient and updated patient register within a busy practice setting. Results By the end of the project the general practice had an established diabetes register with defined and agreed practice systems.