NHS England has been compelled to modify its public statements regarding the effectiveness of Palantir's Federated Data Platform (FDP) following an investigation by the UK Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). Previously, NHS England asserted that hospitals utilizing the FDP had conducted an additional 110,000 surgeries and decreased patient discharge delays by 15%. However, a new disclaimer has been added, indicating that current data does not substantiate these claims and that it's impossible to draw causal links due to unaddressed variables.
This development comes amidst increasing scrutiny, especially concerning the £330 million contract awarded to Palantir. The OSR's intervention highlights the necessity for transparency in public health data, particularly when substantial public funds are involved. Many MPs and health campaigners have voiced concerns over Palantir's involvement, citing a lack of confidence in the company and doubts about the accuracy of the data supporting its impact.
Several hospital trusts have admitted errors in the data used to support claims of Palantir's positive impact on discharge delays. An analysis by the Financial Times uncovered irregularities in acute discharge data for 42% of NHS hospital trusts over a four-year period, with one key data point—a drop in discharge delays from hundreds of thousands to zero—being particularly questionable. Consequently, a cross-party group of MPs has urged the Department of Health and Social Care to prepare for the termination of Palantir's contract using a break clause in February 2027, advocating for a search for alternative solutions. Palantir's stock, PLTR, was trading at $132.66, which GuruFocus deemed as approximately 6.7% undervalued with a GF Value™ of $142.13.
