In 1979, the King's Fund College and the Institute of Health Service Administrators agreed to collaborate in making arrangements for this Workshop to explore the role, needs and training requirements of those involved in administration at operational level. Strengthening administration at this level has since been stressed by both the Royal Commission on the NHS and the Patients First consultative document. This workshop examines how a scheme for meeting the essentials of these requirements might be developed in a form adaptable to local and personal needs.