NHS trusts reject Palantir patient data platform as trust falters

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 07:20 · Archive

Multiple NHS organisations are rejecting Palantir's £330m patient data platform, saying they can find better or equivalent alternatives.

Multiple NHS organisations across England are rejecting Palantir's £330m federated data platform, according to freedom of information responses. Health bodies from Gateshead to Truro said they were declining to use it or had reverted to old systems after trials. Some said other systems offered superior or equivalent functionality to Palantir's offering.

A Suffolk trust said other systems "supercede" the platform's functionality, while Greater Manchester's care board called it "duplicative" and "retrograde". However, some health bodies reported that the system had made it easier to manage waiting lists and improved surgery scheduling since its introduction in March 2024.

The National Data Guardian, Dr Nicola Byrne, has warned that public and professional distrust of the controversial US firm could ultimately affect patient care. Tom Watson, Palantir's UK boss and former deputy leader of the Labour Party, defended the company's role, arguing that the watchdog "ignores critical facts" in a letter to health minister James Frith. The government faces a decision about whether to exercise a break clause in the seven-year NHS-Palantir deal.

How it is being reported

• Palantir patient data tech rejected by many NHS trusts in EnglandExclusive: health bodies across country say controversial US firm’s data platform no better than systems already in use NHS organisations that care for millions of people in England are rejecting Palantir’s patient data technology, according to freedom of information responses that reveal health bosses believe they can find better or equal alternatives in many cases. Some health bodies said the £330m federated data platform (FDP) operated by the controversial US company had made it easier to manage waiting lists and has improved surgery scheduling. But, from Gateshead to Truro, others said…The Guardian · 17 Oct, 07:00
• Patient care ‘at risk because Palantir use in the NHS is not trusted’Tech company boss Tom Watson says warning by data watchdog 'ignores critical facts'The i Paper · 16 Oct, 16:14

In this story: Palantir · NHS · Tom Watson · Dr Nicola Byrne · James Frith · England · Gateshead · Truro

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem