🔒Labour Party Urges UK to End Palantir's £330M NHS Contract
Labour Party calls for end to Palantir's NHS deal
TL;DR
Labour Party conference in Liverpool sees campaigners against Palantir's £330M NHS contract. They urge the government not to extend the deal, citing concerns over data privacy and patient safety.
Labour Party conference in Liverpool is seeing campaigners against Palantir's £330 million NHS contract for the Federated Data Platform (FDP). The contract, which began in November 2023, is under scrutiny due to concerns over data privacy and patient safety. The cross-party Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has also urged the government not to extend the contract in 2027, recommending an in-house replacement or a UK provider instead. The FDP contract's initial term ends early next year, and the government can extend it for up to four years. The contractual deadline for Palantir to provide NHS England with an exit plan is September 30. The British Medical Association (BMA) and other unions are opposing the rollout, urging members to avoid the platform for non-care purposes. Over 85,000 patients have made formal complaints to their hospitals, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Key Points
Labour Party conference in Liverpool sees campaigners against Palantir's £330 million NHS contract for the Federated Data Platform (FDP).
Cross-party Science, Innovation and Technology Committee urges government not to extend the FDP contract in 2027, recommending an in-house replacement or UK provider.
Palantir won the lead role in the £330 million FDP contract in November 2023, following £60 million in COVID-era NHS contracts awarded without competition.
The FDP contract's initial term ends early next year, with the government able to extend it for up to four years. The deadline for Palantir to provide NHS England with an exit plan is September 30.
Over 85,000 patients have made formal complaints to their hospitals, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Why It Matters
If the government extends Palantir's NHS contract, it could lead to further patient complaints and data privacy concerns. The cross-party Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's recommendation for an in-house replacement or UK provider highlights the need for a more secure and transparent approach to data management. The decision on whether to extend the contract will impact patient care and data security in the UK's healthcare system.
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