Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has said its only current use of a data platform linked to Palantir Technologies is part of a national pilot to help the NHS collect costing information.
The Federated Data Platform (FDP) has sparked national debate over how NHS data is accessed and governed, including legal challenges and campaigning linked to Palantir’s involvement, which was awarded the main contract for the platform in 2023.
The platform is part of a wider NHS programme designed to bring together data systems to support planning, performance and patient care.
A spokesperson for the Trust said its only current use of the platform is participation in a Local Cost Collection (LCC) pilot, which supports national costing processes.
“No other FDP products are in use at Bedfordshire Hospitals, and there have been no changes to how patient information is handled for direct care,” they said.
“The LCC is carried out under a legal direction from NHS England, meaning the National Data Opt Out does not apply, and no confidential patient information is made available to users of the product.
“Patients can be assured that their data continues to be managed securely, used only for appropriate NHS purposes, and handled in full accordance with UK data‑protection law.”
They added that further details can be found within its online privacy notice.
NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) did not provide details when asked whether FDP tools are in use across Bedfordshire or what oversight arrangements are in place locally, and instead directed enquiries to NHS England, as it is responsible for the commissioning process.
However, NHS England’s published guidance states that trusts and ICBs are responsible for the governance arrangements for their use of FDP, including how data is used and accessed.
An NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS is transforming its IT systems to provide staff across England with a set of high-quality tools and apps through the platform to help provide better care for patients and work more efficiently.
“NHS England is working closely with local organisations to support the rollout of the Federated Data Platform, which is already joining up care, speeding up cancer diagnosis and ensuring thousands of additional patients can be treated each month – while saving money for NHS teams and taxpayers.”
Separately, the Financial Times (11 May) reported that an internal NHS England briefing mentioned proposals to allow broader access for non-NHS staff in certain circumstances.
The Morning Star (11 May) subsequently reported that NHS England said it has “strict policies in place for managing access to patient data” and that any external access requires security clearance and senior approval.
NHS England publishes quarterly lists of organisations that are “live” with the platform and those that have signed up, although levels of use can vary between organisations.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
