I note your concerns over media reports about the awarding of contracts for the proposed FDP, a new data tool to connect and integrate patient and other data sources from across the health system.
The FDP platform will allow NHS organisations to bring together operational data, currently stored in separate systems to ensure that NHS staff can access the information they need in one safe and secure platform. On 20 June 2023, NHS England published a new 12-month contract to support the successful transition from the current Palantir Foundry platform to the new Federated Data Platform and Associate Services (FDP-AS) supplier. This is to provide the safe and smooth transition and exit service of critical products that were developed to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic (for Covid-19 and elective recovery purposes).
Whilst a number of Trusts have recently suspended or paused their pilots of Palantir Foundry, it is worth noting that there are two pilots currently delivering benefits to Trusts: the Improving Elective Care Coordination for Patients Programme which supports trusts to effectively deliver care through the implementation of the Care Coordination Solution; and the Dynamic Discharge programme to support effective hospital discharge.
All NHS contracts are procured using correct procedures. This contract includes additional terms, such as termination for convenience and a six-month break clause. The contract was procured by a compliant and transparent direct award tender process, using a Crown Commercial Service framework agreement.
As the FDP is rolled out, patients and the public will be engaged and involved in decisions about how data will be used with the platform, and there will be clear information about who will access data and for what purpose. The programme will also be clear about people’s rights and choice to opt out (where applicable).