Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Palantir: MPs call for "shameful" NHS data deal to be scrapped Gareth IacobucciMPs have urged the UK government to scrap a "dreadful" and "shameful" £330m NHS contract with the controversial US tech giant Palantir during a Westminster debate. 1 Palantir, which also provides services to US immigration enforcement and the Israeli military, is contracted to create a federated data platform (FDP) for NHS England to help streamline health service data.But the deal has proved controversial, with concerns raised by the BMA 2 and others over risks to patient trust, data security, and Palantir's background with military and surveillance contracts.Earlier this week-amid reports that ministers were mulling scrapping the contract 3 -The BMJ revealed how data from pilots of the FDP, run at Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust and promoted as a Palantir success story, were flawed.4 Against this backdrop MPs debated the FDP on 16 April, with several Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs urging the government to remove Palantir as the contract supplier.The debate was led by the Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley, who described the contract as "dreadful" and referenced The BMJ's findings (Video 1).The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England were approached for comment. 1 UK Parliament.NHS Federated Data Platform.
Source: BMJ
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.s738
Author: Gareth Iacobucci
Institution: BMJ Group (United Kingdom)
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7154697108