LONDON - Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR) has been awarded a £330 million contract by NHS England to develop a Federated Data Platform aimed at improving patient care by integrating health data across the national service, excluding Scotland and Wales. The project, announced today, involves collaboration with partners such as Accenture (NYSE:ACN), NECS, Carnall Farrar, and PwC.
The initiative has garnered support for its potential to enhance healthcare services by reducing patient waiting lists and addressing health inequalities. CEO Alex Karp emphasized the platform's capacity to streamline operations and improve outcomes for patients.
Despite the optimism, the contract has not escaped criticism. Concerns have been raised regarding privacy issues and the political affiliations of Palantir's founders. Critics like David Nicholl question the effectiveness of the platform in relation to its cost without thorough examination. Similarly, Cori Crider has expressed doubts about the system's usability for medical staff.
Palantir's engagement with UK government projects is not new; the company previously gained trust within government circles with its contribution to the Covid-19 response. The debate over the new NHS data platform underscores the ongoing tension between technological advancement in healthcare and the need for transparency and trust in how patient data is managed.
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