Speaking to the Guardian, DAUK called for greater transparency and safeguards after TPG bought Optum UK, the firm behind the electronic patient record system used by most GP practices in England.

DAUK said: “Private equity now owns the plumbing of English general practice. The GP records of more than half the country sit on a system controlled by a firm whose business model is returns for investors, not care for patients, and the public found out after the fact.

“We want the government to set out what safeguards exist, what happens to the data if TPG later sells the asset, and why none of this was put to parliament.”

Read the Guardian article in full.

DAUK committee members are all volunteers and campaign on issues facing frontline doctors in their own time. Please support our work by joining DAUK or donating to our GoFundMe.

Organised by Medact, the fringe event is titled Beyond Palantir – what’s next for the Federated Data Platform?

It takes place from 5pm to 6pm on 10 June at HOME Manchester, a fully accessible venue located a short walk from Manchester Central Convention Complex.

NHS Federated Data Platform

The event comes amid growing parliamentary discussion about the potential for the break clause in the NHS Federated Data Platform contract with Palantir to be triggered in 2027.

DAUK has consistently opposed the involvement of Palantir in the NHS data and has raised concerns regarding transparency, governance, and public confidence.

A panel of data and health equity experts have been invited to speak at the event and there will be the possibility for questions and discussion. 

Speakers include:

• Matt Hennessey, chief data and analytics officer, Greater Manchester ICB
• Marc Farr, chair, NHS Chief Data and Analytical Officer Network, Advisory Board member, APHA National Data Advisory Group
• Emma Runswick, deputy chair of Council, British Medical Association 

Sign up on the Medact website.

DAUK is run by frontline doctors for frontline doctors. Please support our work by donating to our GoFundMe.

Speaking to John Pienaar on Times Radio, DAUK committee member Dr Nicholl said longstanding concerns about Palantir’s record remain.

Dr Nicholl, who works in Birmingham, highlighted worries about reported racial bias linked to Palantir’s work in the United States, warning that such issues could disproportionately affect diverse NHS communities.

He also challenged claims Palantir was essential to the UK’s Covid vaccine rollout, saying that Wales delivered vaccines faster without the company’s platform.

“There has been a lot of overselling,” he said.

Referencing a report in the British Medical Journal, Dr Nicholl said results of a pilot at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust used pandemic-peak baselines to exaggerate performance gains.

Listen to Dr Nicholl’s interview on our Instagram page.

We are a non-profit campaigning and lobbying organisation led by frontline doctors, for frontline doctors. We are volunteers and our collective aim is to give frontline workers a voice to be heard.

Please support our work by contributing to our crowd funder.

The briefing, titled Who controls our health data, was co-hosted by DAUK and was part of DAUK’s Our data, our NHS campaign.

It brought together MPs, clinicians, and patient organisations in what Dr David Nicholl, DAUK committee member who is leading the campaign, described as a ‘unified front’ on the future of NHS data.

Westminster briefing

Dr Nicholl said: “The briefing couldn’t have gone better – it was like political speed dating.

“There were MPs from across the political spectrum including from the Liberal Democrats, Labour, SNP, and independents, with the exception of Conservatives and Reform.

“It shows this issue is firmly on the radar of MPs.”

The NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) is a £330m contract awarded to US tech giant Palantir which is up for renewal next year.

The cross-party Westminster briefing was attended by Foxglove Legal, the BMA, Just Treatment, and Viscount Hanworth, and was sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley.

It came at an important moment, with a Westminster Hall debate on the issue expected next month.

Palantir contract

Dr Nicholl said MPs in attendance were keen to get a better understanding of the Palantir contract, what it means for patients and the NHS, and what future options are.

He said: “Some MPs didn’t understand why this had happened, but were very receptive.

“They appreciated getting our input, and hearing from patient organisations too. There was a sense of shared concern.”

With the contract due for renewal next year, DAUK is urging policymakers to reassess and consider alternatives.

Our Data, Our NHS campaign

DAUK has long campaigned against Palantir’s involvement in the NHS, citing concerns about data governance, transparency, and value for money.

We have argued that the Federated Data Platform has been oversold and fails to provide meaningful improvements over existing systems.

Dr Nicholl said: “The contract has under-delivered.

“Colleagues using the FDP don’t feel it’s value for money. It’s really oversold and replicates things that existing electronic patient records are already doing.”

UK-based alternatives

He added that the upcoming renewal represents a crucial opportunity to rethink the NHS’s digital strategy.

“We need to make sure this doesn’t happen again, and look at alternatives that are more UK-based, with fewer risks attached,” he said.

Visit the Our Data, Our NHS campaign page to learn more about the campaign and to contact your MP.

We are a non-profit campaigning and lobbying organisation led by frontline doctors, for frontline doctors. We are volunteers and our collective aim is to give frontline workers a voice to be heard.

Please support our work by contributing to our crowd funder.