‘Mistrust’ of Palantir may affect NHS research, says health minister

‘Mistrust’ of Palantir may affect NHS research, says health minister. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA‘Mistrust’ of Palantir may affect NHS research, says health ministerJames Frith says patients may be less willing to share data as new figures show a rise in opt-outsConcern is being raised about Palantir’s work with the NHS as new figures showed tens of thousands of patients have withdrawn their data from use in research projects.

What happened

James Frith says patients may be less willing to share data as new figures show a rise in opt-outsConcern is being raised about Palantir’s work with the NHS as new figures showed tens of thousands of patients have withdrawn their data from use in research projects. James Frith, the health innovation minister, said he was worried about “mistrust” of the US defence and health tech company and “the impact it could have on people’s willingness to share data with the NHS”. Continue reading. . .

Frith said: “It may not be possible to realise the benefits of the 10-year health plan if patients stop sharing their data. ”Foxglove, a tech equity campaign, welcomed the minister’s acknowledgment of apparent public mistrust of Palantir. James Frith, the health innovation minister, said he was worried about “mistrust” of the US defence and health tech company and “the impact it could have on people’s willingness to share data with the NHS”. In July, a health minister told parliament that health trusts would be told they “must use” parts of NHS England’s federated platform, which is controlled using Palantir technology.

Given how long this process could take, ministers need to act decisively and quickly, and not put this decision off until February. ”Explore more on these topicsHealthNHSPalantirAI (artificial intelligence)Layla MoranSadiq KhannewsShareReuse this contentMost viewedMost viewed Skip to main contentSkip to navigation Health workers protest outside the London headquarters of Palantir, in opposition to the company’s involvement with the NHS. The ratings of these experts are backed by in-depth research of a company's financials and thorough analysis of the factors affecting its business performance.

The wider picture

The government is deciding whether to axe the company’s £330m contract to operate the health service’s federated data platform, which is intended to improve efficiency and patient outcomes. Frith’s comment, in a letter to Layla Moran, the chair of the Commons health committee, follows a rise in patients opting out of allowing their medical data to be shared. Doctors and patients’ groups are calling for Labour to exercise a break clause in Palantir’s seven-year contract.

Palantir and its supporters say its AI-driven technology has cut NHS waiting lists for surgery. Ministers apologised after it emerged that the company’s staff had access to identifiable patient data. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has also blocked the Metropolitan police from awarding Palantir a £50m contract to use its AI to support investigations. However, it prevents it being used for research and planning. “People are right to be concerned given … its founder, Trump ally Peter Thiel, going on record to opine that the NHS makes people sick. ”Frith indicated a policy shift on whether the Palantir-powered platform must be used by NHS trusts.

What has been reported

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In the two months from mid-May to mid-July, 60,000 more people withdrew their private information under a mechanism called the national data opt-out.

What happens next

They cite its work with the Israeli military and Donald Trump’s ICE immigration agency and question the company’s claim to provide value for money. A spokesperson for the company said it was “helping to deliver better care, with trusts using it recording 110,000 additional operations, a 15% reduction in discharge delays for long-stay patients and a 6. 8% improvement in the number of people finding out whether or not they have cancer within 28 days”. NHS England has reported similar numbers but said it could not “draw conclusions about cause and effect”.

The government’s statistics watchdog is investigating the data. He said Londoners wanted to see public money paid only to companies that “share the values of our city”. Frith said the rise in opt-outs was “modest” but would still be monitored.

The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across theguardian.com, cnbc.com, bbc.co.uk. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.