Abstract Introduction: Diabetes management is an important population health issue and data from the National Diabetes Audit (NDA) is used as part of the assessment framework for Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) footprints. From April 2017, submission of data to the NDA became a contractual requirement for all GP practices in England. It is important to understand what impact the NDA may have on patient care and to identify practices that may need additional support with data submission. Method: Variation in demographic characteristics between GP practices that participated and did not participate in the 2014/15 NDA was analysed. The relationship between NDA participation and achievement of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) diabetes measures (blood pressure, cholesterol, HBA1c), controlling for demographic characteristics, was modelled. Results: 58% of practices participated in the audit. Participation in the NDA differed significantly according to practice size (t(7,653)=-9.93, p=.001), level of deprivation (χ2(9)=36.17, p<.0001), diabetes prevalence (p<.0001) and geographic area (χ2(26)=676.9, p<.0001). In addition, the QOF achievement indicators cholesterol (p<.0001) and HBA1c (p<.0001) but not blood pressure (p>.05) were significantly related to NDA participation when controlling for the demographic characteristics practice size, deprivation, diabetes prevalence and geographic area; however, the direction and pattern of these associations was inconsistent. Conclusion: Variation in NDA participation exists. It is suggested, therefore, that some practices may need additional support when submitting data to the NDA. In addition the use of NDA outcomes as a measure of progress with diabetes care by STPs is still unclear and further investigation is needed.