From the Guardian · · 2m
Palantir pushed minister to access NHS GP records
WhatsApp messages reveal the US data firm lobbied to expand its NHS contract into patient GP data, despite government promises it would not.
In brief
WhatsApp messages reveal the US data firm lobbied to expand its NHS contract into patient GP data, despite government promises it would not. Palantir lobbied health minister Zubir Ahmed to extend its AI platform into NHS GP records, breaching a 2023 government pledge that GP data would remain outside its scope…
US firm targets GP records
Palantir, co-founded by Trump-supporting billionaire Peter Thiel, lobbied health minister Zubir Ahmed to extend its AI platform into NHS GP records via WhatsApp messages.
The existing contract excludes GP data
Palantir holds a three hundred thirty million pound contract with NHS England to run its federated data platform, but GP data was expressly ruled out of scope.
When the lobbying happened
WhatsApp messages obtained under the Freedom of Information Act span July two thousand twenty-five to March two thousand twenty-six, with the push coming in February this year.
Palantir's pitch to the minister
The company told Ahmed that joining primary and secondary care data was unarguable and its software was ideal for the job, claiming it would maintain local control of data.
“the logic of joining up primary and secondary [care] data is unarguable”
Palantir warned of political opposition
The firm urged Ahmed to get ahead of likely opposition from doctors, the Green party leader Zack Polanski, and Your Party led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
Government's 2023 pledge on GP data
When Rishi Sunak's Conservative government announced the Palantir deal three years ago, it stated GP data would not be part of the national platform.
“GP data will not be part of the national platform.”
Doctors fear for patient trust
The British Medical Association opposes integration, with chair Dr Tom Dolphin warning of scope creep and risks that could undermine patient trust and the doctor-patient relationship.
Labour peer also lobbies for Palantir
Tom Watson, a Labour peer hired as a full-time lobbyist by Palantir in September, recently wrote to health secretary Yvette Cooper urging her to keep the contract going.
Government signals possible replacement
Health secretary Yvette Cooper told parliament the review is ongoing but said there is a huge long-term benefit to using the NHS to develop UK sovereign AI.
“a huge long-term benefit to using the NHS to develop UK sovereign AI”
Contract extends to two thousand twenty-nine
The Palantir contract reaches its next end point in two thousand twenty-nine, giving the government time to develop a UK replacement before any decision on renewal.
The big picture
Palantir lobbied health minister Zubir Ahmed to extend its AI platform into NHS GP records, breaching a 2023 government pledge that GP data would remain outside its scope.
