Doctors call for Palantir NHS contract to end

Getty/SOMKID THONGDEE

By Erin Dean

A doctors’ group has backed a campaign urging the government to trigger the break clause in the NHS contract with IT company Palantir.

The Back the Break Clause campaign calls for an end to the US tech giant’s controversial involvement in the Federated Data Platform (FDP), which connects information across different NHS organisations.

Concerns have already been raised about the role of the company within the NHS by many, including the British Medical Association, MPs and Amnesty International.

Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) is part of the coalition behind the campaign which points out that Palantir software is frequently used by the US military, the Israeli military, police forces, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Their contract with the NHS is a threat to human rights, data privacy and public sector integrity,” campaigners said.

In February 2027, Palantir’s contract with NHS England comes to an end and the government has a choice whether to extend it or break the contract, they added.