NHS Data Opt-Outs Rise by 60,000 as Minister Questions Palantir’s £330 Million Role
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 7
NHS Data Opt-Outs Rise by 60,000 as Minister Questions Palantir’s £330 Million Role
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 7
Summary
60,000 more patients opted out of sharing NHS data for research and planning between mid-May and mid-July, prompting health innovation minister James Frith to warn that mistrust of Palantir could deter data sharing.
Frith said the increase was modest but linked to media attention on Palantir, as the government weighs whether to end the company’s £330 million, seven-year contract to run the NHS federated data platform.
He also signaled a softer line on adoption, saying NHS trusts are not required to use the Palantir-powered platform and may choose alternatives, reversing a July position that parts of it would be mandatory.
Doctors, patients’ groups and Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran want ministers to use a break clause, citing Palantir’s work with the Israeli military and ICE, while Foxglove said the opt-outs reflect wider public concern.
Palantir says its tools helped deliver 110,000 additional operations and faster cancer diagnoses, but NHS England said it cannot prove cause and effect and the UK statistics watchdog is investigating the performance data.