NHS–Palantir row escalates

Senior National Health Service officials have reportedly warned staff against publicly criticising Palantir’s rollout as pressure grows around the company’s £330 million data contract. (ft.com) Palantir won the Federated Data Platform contract in November 2023 to supply software across seven years, with support from Accenture, PricewaterhouseCoopers, North of England Commissioning Support and Carnall Farrar. National Health Service England says the system is meant to link data already held in separate systems so staff can manage care, waiting lists and hospital capacity in one place. (england.nhs.uk) The platform does not include general practice data in its national version, and National Health Service England says companies on the contract cannot access health data without explicit National Health Service permission. Digital Health reported that the deal covers up to £330 million over seven years. (england.nhs.uk) (digitalhealth.net) The row has sharpened in April 2026 as reports from the Financial Times, the British Broadcasting Corporation and Novara Media described staff warnings, internal resistance and demands for clearer answers on how the software is being imposed. Amnesty International United Kingdom said on 9 April that a senior National Health Service official had told colleagues to “maintain focus” despite human-rights objections. (ft.com) (bbc.co.uk) (novaramedia.com) (amnesty.org.uk) National Health Service planning guidance said all trusts in England should be using Federated Data Platform core products from April 2026, though The BMJ reported National Health Service sources said that was a policy decision rather than an enforceable instruction. A coalition of health, patient and rights groups then urged trusts not to sign memorandums of understanding to use the system. (bmj.com) Critics say the dispute is not only about software. It also covers Palantir’s work with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and the Israeli military, which has made some clinicians and campaigners argue that using the company’s tools could damage trust in the health service. (amnesty.org.uk) (news.sky.com) Supporters inside and outside government make a different case. Palantir told Digital Health that its software had helped deliver 110,000 additional operations, cut discharge delays by 15.3% and increase the number of people learning within 28 days whether they had cancer by 6.8%, while saying the National Health Service controls how the system is used. (digitalhealth.net) The rollout has also raised operational concerns beyond the contract itself. Digital Health reported on 9 April that at least six Palantir employees had been given National Health Service email accounts, which can include access to internal Microsoft Teams groups, SharePoint files and staff directory details if not restricted. (digitalhealth.net) The argument is now moving from internal channels into Parliament. Amnesty International United Kingdom said members of Parliament were due to debate Palantir and its National Health Service contract on 16 April, while campaigners are pressing ministers to use a break clause ahead of the contract’s February 2027 review point. (amnesty.org.uk 1) (amnesty.org.uk 2)