In a significant move, NHS England has granted a £25 million contract to Palantir, a renowned US data analytics giant. The contract aims to facilitate the transition of NHS England’s ongoing projects to the new Federated Data Platform (FDP) supplier. It is expected that a larger contract worth £480 million will be awarded to the FDP supplier in the near future. The Palantir Foundry Transition & Exit contract was announced on a government contracts site, with a starting date of June 12.
Smooth Transition to the New FDP
The purpose of the contract is to ensure a seamless transition and exit service for critical products that were initially developed to address the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. These products include solutions for Covid-19 management and elective recovery purposes. The contract also involves the transfer of these products to the new FDP-AS supplier once the procurement process is complete and the FDP-AS supplier is selected.
Lack of Immediate Comment from NHSE
As of now, the NHSE press office has not provided an immediate comment regarding the contract award. Further details and clarifications regarding the decision are yet to be disclosed.
Transparency Concerns and Competitive Tender
The awarding of this contract has raised concerns about the transparency of the tender process for the FDP. Palantir’s advantage in the bidding process is evident due to its previous work in helping the government manage Covid-19 data during the pandemic without any charge.
While the contract notice mentioned the future Federated Data Platform contract for context, the contracts’ website emphasized that it is a separate contract and procurement process altogether.
Concerns Raised by Advocacy Groups
Advocacy groups advocating for equitable access to technology, including the non-profit legal organization Foxglove, have expressed concerns about NHSE’s approach to the FDP. They argue that NHSE has not thoroughly considered the implications of the proposed FDP, risking the safety and confidentiality of millions of patients’ personal data if the full tender is awarded to Palantir.
These groups also point out Palantir’s collaboration with intelligence and security services in the United States, which raises questions about its suitability for managing the extensive personal health data of NHS England. Furthermore, Palantir’s public comments on the process have suggested a potential interest in monetizing the data in the future, fueling concerns about the company’s motives.
Contract Undermines Competitiveness
Cori Crider, a director at Foxglove, has expressed criticism regarding the contract award. She argues that the successive large payments made to Palantir by the government indicate that the £480 million “Federated Data Platform” contract may not be a genuine competition but rather a predetermined arrangement.
Crider highlights that over £60 million has already been granted to Palantir without a competitive tender, consultation, or substantial public engagement. This approach not only reflects poor fiscal practices when it comes to public spending but also poses a significant risk to patient trust.
Potential Opt-Out of Sharing Health Data
According to recent polling conducted by YouGov, if the FDP is implemented and managed by a private company like Palantir, approximately 48% of adults in England, which amounts to over 20 million individuals, are likely to opt out of sharing their health data with the NHS.
Crider emphasizes the potential catastrophic consequences if such a significant portion of the population chooses to opt out. It would severely impact the quality of NHS data, which is one of the most valuable health resources in the country.
Urgent Need for Investigation and Review
Crider concludes by stating that it is not too late to change the course of action. She calls upon Parliament to promptly investigate the FDP procurement process, assess its value for money, and thoroughly evaluate the risks it poses to patient trust. Furthermore, she suggests pausing the FDP tender until critical questions can be adequately addressed.
FAQs
- Question: What is the purpose of the Palantir contract awarded by NHS England? Answer: The contract aims to facilitate the transition of NHS England’s projects to the new Federated Data Platform (FDP) supplier.
- Question: Is the Palantir contract part of the tender process for the FDP? Answer: While the contract is related to the future Federated Data Platform contract, it is a separate contract and procurement process.
- Question: Why are advocacy groups concerned about the Palantir contract? Answer: Advocacy groups are concerned about the transparency of the tender process and the potential risks to patient data privacy and security.
- Question: How much money has been granted to Palantir so far? Answer: Over £60 million has been awarded to Palantir without a competitive tender.
- Question: What is the potential impact if the FDP is managed by a private company? Answer: According to polling, approximately 48% of adults in England, or over 20 million individuals, may opt out of sharing their health data with the NHS.
- Question: What actions are recommended by advocacy groups? Answer: Advocacy groups call for an urgent investigation of the FDP procurement process, its value for money, and its potential risks to patient trust. They also suggest pausing the FDP tender until critical questions are answered.
Conclusion
The awarding of a £25 million contract to Palantir by NHS England marks a significant step in the transition to the new Federated Data Platform. However, concerns have been raised regarding the transparency of the tender process and the potential risks associated with Palantir’s involvement. Advocacy groups urge a thorough review and investigation to ensure the protection of patient data and regain public trust. The future of the FDP project remains uncertain, and critical questions must be addressed before proceeding further.