NHS staff revolt over Palantir's £330m data platform amid ethical backlash

The NHS's partnership with Palantir has sparked growing controversy among healthcare workers and lawmakers. Staff across England are increasingly refusing to engage with the company's Federated Data Platform (FDP), citing ethical concerns. The £330 million contract, awarded in 2023, was meant to streamline NHS operations—but resistance is mounting.

Palantir's FDP was designed to centralise NHS data, including waiting lists, staffing levels, patient records, and theatre schedules. The project holds a top 'green rating' for on-time and on-budget delivery, with 123 out of 205 hospital trusts now using it. Of those, 80 have reported operational benefits, and another 45 are signed up to adopt the system.

Yet opposition is spreading. A senior health official publicly called Palantir an 'ethically bankrupt' organisation and refused any involvement. Many staff quietly share similar views but hesitate to speak out. Some argue the platform is unnecessary, claiming existing methods work better without the ethical dilemmas. For those unwilling to work with the FDP, refusal is being treated as a formal workplace adjustment—akin to accommodations for disabilities. Medical trade unions and MPs have joined the criticism, questioning whether a company like Palantir should handle sensitive national health data at all.

The FDP remains in use across much of the NHS, but its future is uncertain as resistance grows. Staff objections, now framed as workplace rights, could force further debate over the platform's role. With ethical concerns persisting, the controversy shows no sign of fading.