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NHS data chief pushes Palantir rollout despite outcry

Source: ft.com

TL;DR

NHS England's data chief Ming Tang calls for wider use of Palantir's Federated Data Platform despite public and internal backlash.
In a memo, Tang describes the platform as delivering "outstanding results" by collating patient information centrally.
This pushes back against ethical concerns over Palantir's US defence ties and risks to patient data privacy.

The story at a glance

NHS England's chief data and analytics officer Ming Tang has outlined plans in an internal memo to deepen the rollout of Palantir's Federated Data Platform across the health service. The article reports her vow to disregard controversy surrounding the US firm, known for defence and intelligence work. This comes amid ongoing outcry from NHS staff, doctors and campaigners about data security and ethics. The platform stems from a £330m contract awarded to Palantir in 2023.[[1]](https://www.ft.com/content/1ac7a046-329c-4036-b01e-f2291dde28ca)[[2]](https://www.ft.com/content/1ac7a046-329c-4036-b01e-f2291dde28ca?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

Key points

Tang's end-of-year memo, seen by the FT, sets ambitions for 2026-27 to embed the platform more deeply despite rows over Palantir's US contracts.
She states the FDP, which pulls patient data into one place, is producing "outstanding results" in early rollouts.[[2]](https://www.ft.com/content/1ac7a046-329c-4036-b01e-f2291dde28ca?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
Over 120 NHS trusts have signed up, with 72 live, but adoption faces resistance from local data officers citing better existing tools and costs.
Controversy includes Palantir's work with US agencies like ICE, Peter Thiel's criticism of the NHS, and fears of reduced public trust in health data.
NHS chief data officers warned Tang in 2025 of patient safety risks and "programme drift" towards a single vendor.[[3]](https://www.medact.org/2026/resources/briefings/briefing-palantir-fdp)
The seven-year contract has a review in early 2027, with options not to extend.

Details and context

The Federated Data Platform aims to link NHS data on patients, beds and trends to aid decision-making, building on Palantir's pandemic role via non-competitive deals worth £60m. Critics argue it sidelines local systems and imposes proprietary software, with unclear long-term costs. Tang's push follows government pressure to accelerate, despite ministers exploring a break clause amid reputation worries.[[4]](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/12/nhs-deal-with-ai-firm-palantir-called-into-question-after-officials-concerns-revealed)

Some NHS regions like Greater Manchester prefer their own analytics, claiming superiority to FDP. Staff boycotts and BMA guidance to limit use highlight ethical splits: supporters see efficiency gains, opponents fear surveillance risks and vendor lock-in.

Medact and Foxglove reports detail ties, including Tang as a guest at Palantir-linked events, though NHS insists data stays under its control with anonymisation.

Key quotes

Ming Tang in memo: "outstanding results" for the FDP.[[2]](https://www.ft.com/content/1ac7a046-329c-4036-b01e-f2291dde28ca?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
FT summary of Tang: vowed to "ignore controversy about Palantir" while planning deeper embedding.[[1]](https://www.ft.com/content/1ac7a046-329c-4036-b01e-f2291dde28ca)

Why it matters

Palantir's deeper NHS role raises stakes for patient data handling in a cash-strapped public system facing AI and privacy tensions. For NHS staff and patients, it means potential efficiency in care planning but risks to trust if ethical concerns grow. Watch the 2027 contract review and adoption rates amid staff resistance and any government shifts.[[3]](https://www.medact.org/2026/resources/briefings/briefing-palantir-fdp)