Objectives To investigate opinions' convergences and divergences of diabetic patients and health‐care professionals on diabetes care and the development of a regional diabetes programme. Background Development and implementation of a regional diabetes programme. Research design Qualitative study using focus groups to elicit diabetic patients' and health‐care professionals' opinions, followed by content analysis. Setting and participants Eight focus groups: four focus groups with diabetic patients (n = 39) and four focus groups with various health‐care professionals (n = 34) residing or practicing in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, respectively. Results Perceived quality of diabetes care varied between individuals and types of participants. To improve quality, patients favoured a comprehensive follow‐up while professionals suggested considering existing structures and trained professionals. All participants mentioned communication difficulties between professionals and were favouring teamwork. In addition, they described the role that patients should have in care and self‐management. Financial difficulties were also mentioned by both groups of participants. Finally, they were in favour of the development of a regional diabetes programme adapted to actors' needs. For patients indeed, such a programme would represent an opportunity to improve information and to have access to comprehensive care. For professionals, it would help the development of local networks and the reinforcement of existing tools and structures. Discussion and conclusions Acknowledging convergences and divergences of opinions of both diabetic patients and health‐care professionals should help the further development of a programme adapted to users' needs, taking all stakeholders interests and priorities into consideration.