Palantir has been lobbying UK health minister Zubir Ahmed to extend its AI technology to include GP records, despite existing contracts explicitly excluding such data. The company argues that integrating primary and secondary care data could enhance NHS efficiency, but this has raised alarms among healthcare professionals about potential breaches of patient trust.
The lobbying efforts, revealed through WhatsApp messages, come as the government considers extending Palantir's existing £330 million contract with NHS England. Critics, including medical associations, express concerns over data privacy and the implications of allowing a private firm access to sensitive health information.
Watch for the government's response to Palantir's lobbying, especially regarding data privacy concerns. The ongoing review of the NHS contract could lead to significant changes in how patient data is managed, impacting trust in healthcare systems and future tech partnerships.