Questions remain over Palantir and NHS patient data

At the time, only a tiny fraction of Hackney residents knew of the company.

Fewer still were aware that Palantir held a £330 million contract with NHS England for the management of patient data, but interest grew rapidly with hundreds of postcards signed and support from Diane Abbott MP and Green Party politicians.

Less than a year later, Palantir isn’t quite a household name, but anxiety and anger are widespread among tens of thousands at its involvement in the NHS, with dozens of local campaigns emerging.

George Binette says that the Palantir NHS contract under renewed scrutiny (Image: George Binette)

Palantir’s billionaire leadership boasts of its “strategic partnership” with the Israeli military and makes no apologies for Palestinian civilian deaths.

It is also deeply involved with the lethal implementation of the Trump administration’s mass deportation programme.

The ethical charge sheet against Palantir is long, but crucially there is mounting evidence that NHS England had grossly exaggerated claims for the FDP’s effectiveness.

It also shared identifiable patient data with Palantir employees.

Such practices can only further undermine patient trust.

Meanwhile, two parliamentary select committees have called on the government to exercise a break clause in the NHS contract that could take effect from February 2027, even as mayor Sadiq Khan and French and Swiss authorities distance themselves from Palantir.

Locally, HCAP – yes, I’m a supporter – secured a constructive August 4 meeting with the Homerton’s senior management.

On September 22, the campaign will put its case to a Hackney Council scrutiny panel, and the Green administration looks set to use its limited influence with Homerton management.

So far, trust management has indicated that Palantir’s FDP offers nothing superior and there are “no active plans” to proceed.

Over to you, Mr Burnham?

In May, I reported on a dispute at the Great Ormond Street Hospital School, which had seen the sacking of National Education Union rep and Hackney resident Kate Williams.

In a ruling on July 3, a tribunal judge upheld Kate’s claim for 'interim relief', effectively finding that management had dismissed her for performing legitimate union duties.

So, three months after her dismissal, Kate is back on full pay with compensation for lost earnings.

She very much hopes to be back doing the job she loves next month.

• George Binette is a former Hackney North & Stoke Newington Labour Party Trade Union officer.