- Now that Lord Mandelson's possible involvement with the Palantir FDP procurement process is known, will you please give details as to what further steps have been taken to protect the privacy of my health date or to secure an opt out for me?
- I am writing to you since I am aware that there is a Cambridge University Hospital meeting on the 10th of June. My family and I are patients of the Hospital and I am highly concerned of the potential use of Palantir's Federal Data protocol to handle patient data. My question is: Given that a committee of MPs on Science, Innovation and Technology described the presence of Palantir software "an unacceptable point of weakness" and a "clear mismatch with UK values". Would you join to press the government to exercise the February 2027 break clause and pull out of the firm's data contract with the NHS, specially given that the software has been described to be 10 times slower than current system by an internal NHS document? Given the profile of this company and the pressure coming now even from cross-party MPs, it will be hugely concerning that the Cambridge University Hospitals adopt this software, clearly going against the interest of its patients.
- The UK Parliamentary cross party Science, Innovation and Technology committee has urged the government to break the NHS contract with Palantir Technology. Campaign groups, NHS data analysts, Chief data and analytical officers have spoken out against Palantir as the data processor for the NHS Federated Data Platform. 31% of NHS Trusts have yet to sign contracts, due to serious reservations, especially security risks. In view of the parliamentary committee's strong recommendation, significant national and local opposition, including from CUH NHS employees and patients, will the Board now seek to support the break clause in the NHS contract with Palantir Technologies?
Response:
The Federated Data Platform is a national programme led by NHS England (NHSE). Their planning framework requires all NHS healthcare providers to use the NHS FDP.
CUH is working with regional healthcare partners to use one part of the NHS FDP, OPTICA, to support complex patient discharges.
OPTICA, which is being supplied to CUH via national funding, benefits our patients by enhancing coordination between hospital and community care teams in our area - helping our patients to transition from hospital to community care faster and more safely.
Further information is available on our website (opens in a new tab).
We recognise that questions and concerns have been raised about the supplier of the FDP and their work with the NHS. More information about the programme, including details about security and privacy, can be found on theNHSE website here (opens in a new tab).
We will continue to follow NHSE’s planning framework and guidance with regard to use of the NHS FDP.
