Eka’s Weekly Roundup (24 November 2023)

Issue 53 l NHS inks contract with Palantir

Nov 24, 2023

Palantir x NHS 🗞️

NHS England has inked a historic half-billion-pound deal with US data giant Palantir to oversee the management of all medical records across England. This landmark agreement, the largest data deal in NHS history, introduces the 'Federated Data Platform' (FDP), a revolutionary system set to transform the handling of our collective health data.

Key Highlights:

1. What is the NHS Federated Data Platform?

The FDP, a government initiative with a £480 million budget, aims to centralize NHS data.
While the project currently focuses on five key areas, the government hints at expanding its scope for additional applications.

2. Why Palantir for the Federated Data Platform?.

Palantir has evidenced that it can materially help NHS performance: it helped reduce waiting lists by 28% at Chelsea and Westminster NHS foundation trust, developed software which proved to help speed up cancer diagnosis, and holding data privacy and security to the highest standard.
However, the competitive tender process was largely opaque, with some news services reporting that the tender was uncompetitive.

3. Is the FDP Worth the Price Tag?

Despite 36 FDP pilots conducted across NHS trusts, concerns arise as only 22% reported tangible benefits according to some news outlets.
Some areas have already introduced the system such as North Tees and Hartlepool Trust which have already reduced long term stays (21 days or more) by 36% despite increased demand, with 7.7% more patients being admitted to the hospital.

4. Palantir Data Sharing – Can Patients Opt Out?

The government's stance on opting out of the FDP for direct care or uses beyond remains unclear.
While initial commitments were made to reform the National Data Opt-Out, recent updates suggest limited opt-out options.