Palantir's £330mn NHS contract faces fresh scrutiny after data revealed that claimed improvements in patient care stem from just a few hospitals. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust alone accounted for 84 per cent of outpatient waiting list reductions, while 13 of 41 trusts actually performed fewer operations after adopting the technology.

The Federated Data Platform aims to connect disparate NHS data and improve outcomes. NHS England credits the system with 110,000 additional operations and 800,000 fewer patients on waiting lists. However, an FT analysis obtained by campaign group Foxglove shows uneven adoption across 36 trusts, with 16 flagging fewer than 100 patients for removal from waiting lists.

The controversy deepened after Matthew Swindells, joint chair at Chelsea and Westminster during implementation, was revealed to have advised Palantir through lobbying firm Global Counsel. NHS officials say Chelsea and Westminster has used the tool longest, explaining higher removal numbers. They cite Imperial College research showing improved theatre usage.

Cross-party MPs recently urged ministers to trigger a 2027 break clause and replace Palantir with a UK provider. The uneven results raise questions about whether £330mn technology investment serves taxpayers better than targeted staffing and clinic expansion.