Behind closed doors: The shadowy dealings of NHS England and Palantir

The Good Law Project has revealed NHS England’s opaque contract with Palantir, sparking concerns over privacy and transparency. The deal, lacking open tender, raises questions about data ethics and governmental accountability.

A recent revelation by the Good Law Project has created a significant stir around NHS England’s engagement with Palantir for managing sensitive patient data. This partnership, sealed through a contract without an open tender, raises profound concerns about data privacy, governmental transparency, and the ethical use of healthcare information.

In November 2023, NHS England awarded Palantir a pivotal contract to manage the healthcare data of over 65 million UK residents. This data, considered one of the world’s most valuable, promises to revolutionise healthcare through advanced research and improved services. Yet, the opacity surrounding the contract award and subsequent negotiations sparks critical questions about its fairness and legality.