Palantir's NHS contract sparks patient data opt-outs and public backlash
Palantir's AI-driven platform for NHS operations has sparked public backlash over its staff's access to identifiable patient data and the company's controversial government contracts. In response, 60,000 patients withdrew from research data sharing between May and July 2026, prompting government investigation and consideration of contract termination.
What happened
Palantir has a £330m contract with NHS England to operate its federated data platform. Ministers apologised after it emerged that Palantir staff had access to identifiable patient data.
In the two months from mid-May to mid-July 2026, 60,000 more patients withdrew their data from research projects under the national data opt-out mechanism. The health innovation minister said he was worried about the impact of 'mistrust' of the company on people's willingness to share data with the NHS.
The government is deciding whether to exercise a break clause in Palantir's seven-year contract. Doctors and patients' groups have called for the company's removal, citing its work with the Israeli military and Donald Trump's ICE immigration agency.
Reported impact
The government's statistics watchdog is investigating data claimed by Palantir and NHS England about improvements to patient care. NHS England reported it could not 'draw conclusions about cause and effect' regarding operational claims made by Palantir.
The rise in opt-outs is linked to media coverage of Palantir's position and concerns about the company's values. London's mayor blocked the Metropolitan Police from awarding Palantir a £50m contract, stating that Londoners wanted public money to go only to companies that 'share the values of our city'.
Index analysis
The incident raises concerns about public trust in data-sharing with health services when AI systems are operated by companies with controversial government contracts or military links. Patient withdrawal from research programmes could affect the ability of the NHS to conduct important health research.
Governance controls
The UK government's statistics watchdog opened an investigation into the claims made about the platform's effectiveness. The government is considering whether to end the contract using a break clause available in the seven-year agreement.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.