Computer Sciences Corp. said Thursday that it has taken over a $3.7 billion contract with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service from Bermuda-based Accenture Ltd. after that company forecast losses from the work.

The contract is for upgrades in the country’s health agency’s computer systems and is a nine-year agreement, according to the El Segundo-based computer services firm.

Computer Sciences already has an existing contract with the agency for services in western parts of the country.

Earlier this year, Accenture warned investors of a predicted loss of more than $450 million from its work for the health service. Accenture should transfer the bulk of its U.K. business to CSC early in 2008.

Shares in Computer Sciences, the nation’s fourth-largest computer services provider, were up 65 cents to $48.70 in early trading Thursday.