MPs have urged the government to cut ties with Palantir and its NHS data platform and begin looking for an alternative.
A letter from the Health and Social Care Committee to health innovation minister Preet Kaur Gill cited public concern about data security, doubts about the Federated Data Platform’s effectiveness and the availability of alternative systems.
Following a recent evidence session, the cross-party committee recommended dropping the platform when a break clause in the contract becomes available in February 2027.
The letter said “serious mistrust” of Palantir among the public could deter patients from sharing their medical data with the NHS.
It warned that this could limit the health service’s ability to benefit from the wider shift towards digital services.
Health and Social Care Committee chair Layla Moran MP said: “Little by little, the government’s arguments for sticking with the FDP has unravelled.
“So in the interest of public confidence in the NHS and the security of their medical information, we believe it is time to crack on with preparations to find an alternative in time for spring 2027.
“The FDP may have had some advantages, but there are also downsides and it is evidently not the only show in town.”
The NHS website had published claims of performance improvements following the platform’s introduction, including shorter waiting lists and an increase in the number of procedures carried out.
However, NHS England later clarified that it could not conclusively attribute those changes to the platform because other variables had not been controlled for.
Its updated statement says: “We cannot therefore draw conclusions about cause and effect as other variables have not been controlled for.”
The government has acknowledged that some NHS trusts have capabilities exceeding those offered by the FDP, indicating that alternative products could be introduced across the health service.
The committee has asked what advice the Department of Health and Social Care has received about the feasibility of appointing a new contractor by March 2027.
It has also requested information about the assessment ministers will conduct before deciding whether to continue using Palantir and the FDP.
