NHS staff revolt over Palantir's £330m health data contract

A rising number of NHS employees are pushing back against working with Palantir's health data system. Staff cite ethical worries as the reason for their refusal. Some are even treating their stance as a formal workplace adjustment to avoid involvement.

The controversy comes after the US tech firm secured a £330 million contract in 2023 to build the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP). The FDP was designed to bring together NHS operational data, including waiting lists, staffing levels, patient records, and theatre schedules. By February, 123 out of 205 hospital trusts in England had adopted the system, with 80 reporting measurable improvements.

Despite its rollout, resistance has grown among staff. Some are deliberately slowing down tasks linked to Palantir to signal their unease. MPs, medical unions, and NHS workers have also questioned whether the company should handle sensitive health data at all.

The project itself has performed well, earning the highest 'green rating' for on-time and on-budget delivery. Yet pressure on UK ministers to remove Palantir has intensified. Officials are now reviewing whether to trigger a break clause in the contract.

Palantir's UK chief, Louis Mosley, confirmed the clause exists but warned that removing the company could disrupt patient care. His comments came as calls for a full review of the firm's role in the NHS continue to gain traction. The dispute leaves the FDP's future uncertain, despite its early success in some trusts. NHS staff remain divided over ethical concerns, while ministers weigh the risks of severing ties with Palantir. Any decision will directly affect how patient data is managed across England's health service.