Many conventional biomaterials fail to meet the demands required of them with respect to their surface and bulk properties. This problem can be addressed by developing novel biomaterials that have the desired bulk properties and increased biocompatibility. Alternatively the surfaces of biomaterials which have the desired bulk properties can be modified to increase their biocompatibility without compromising these bulk properties. Phosphorylcholine (PC) based coatings mimic the surface of biological membranes and so offer a novel method for modifying bulk materials, or can be incorporated into novel bulk biomaterials. One of the key issues of biocompatibility is the continual stimulation of the inflammatory response by biomaterials characterised in part by complement activation, macrophage adhesion and granulocyte activation.