ABSTRACT
Computer groups are absorbing an increasing proportion of the resources of most public organizations and are vital parts of many administrative systems. Responsibility for computer policy and operations within the Health Service is a complex matter. Decisions taken on computer policy will have considerable implications for the future because they set a framework within which other developments have to be contained. The extent to which a central policy for computers exists within each sector of the public services. Despite the centralization of policy responsibility, actual accountability for computers involves several different departments in what can only be described as a very complicated structure. Within individual organizations no common pattern of responsibility allocation has emerged. The differences between individual central government departments and local authorities, for example, can be readily seen. The tasks of organizations affect allocation of responsibility, so a uniform approach cannot be expected.
