Multiple NHS Trusts Reject Palantir's £330 Million Patient Data Platform

NHS Trusts Opt Out of Central Data Platform

At least 16 NHS trusts and regional health boards in England have declined to adopt or have discontinued trials of Palantir Technologies Inc.’s £330 million ($430 million) Federated Data Platform (FDP), according to Freedom of Information (FOI) responses obtained by health campaign group Medact.

The disclosures reveal that multiple healthcare administrators concluded the software offers no significant operational advantages over existing local data systems, while others described the implementation as duplicative.

Palantir secured the seven-year contract in late 2023 to supply the software platform aimed at consolidating patient data across the National Health Service to streamline surgery scheduling and clear care backlogs. The system was formally introduced across the health service in March 2024.

Local Administrative Rejections

Among the organizations opting out is University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which provides care to more than 2 million people. The trust stated it had no plans to adopt the FDP, citing "limited expected benefit over existing solutions."

Other health providers reported similar conclusions:

• University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust stated it would not deploy the software because "it does not appear to provide functionality over and above what we have already."
• Greater Manchester’s integrated care board described the Palantir platform as "duplicative" and "retrograde."
• Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust confirmed it "will not be adopting or going live with the FDP."
• Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust noted it had "no plans to use it."
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust indicated that while it tested the system, it "has not offered significant improvements on local systems."
• Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust stated it had not found an FDP tool offering capabilities beyond its existing technology.

While some health bodies acknowledged the software aided waiting list management and operating theater scheduling, a growing contingent of regional healthcare directors has determined that incumbent systems supersede the platform's capabilities.

Government Review and Contract Scrutiny

The FOI disclosures emerge as ministers face an upcoming decision on whether to exercise a break clause in the seven-year agreement. The contract has faced persistent opposition from privacy advocates and parliamentary groups.

Two parliamentary select committees, including the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, have formally recommended that the government terminate the contract. Criticisms have focused on data privacy concerns, procurement structures, and the broader political background of Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel, who publicly criticized the NHS in 2023.

Corporate Defense

Palantir has defended the deployment and value of its software platform. Tom Watson, the company's senior vice-president and former Labour minister, rejected claims that local competitors offered equivalent functionality at lower operational friction.

Watson noted that Palantir secured the contract through a competitive procurement process, warning against letting political opposition dictate public sector technology procurement practices.