Revealed: Palantir lobbied minister to stretch AI tools’ reach to NHS GP records

What happened

Palantir contacted UK health minister Zubir Ahmed to advocate for expanding its AI data platform to include NHS GP records. This outreach took place between July 2025 and March 2026, even though GP data is not part of Palantir’s current £330 million contract with NHS England. The lobbying occurred while the government was reviewing Palantir’s NHS contract, and there is no immediate plan to end the agreement.

Key details

• Palantir’s current NHS contract is worth £330 million and excludes GP records.
• The lobbying was conducted via WhatsApp messages and briefing documents.
• Doctor and patient groups, including the British Medical Association, have publicly opposed including GP data.
• Palantir’s software platform involved is called Foundry.
• The government previously stated in 2023 that GP data would not be included in the national platform.

Why it matters

Doctors, patient groups, and NHS staff are directly affected, as they have raised concerns about patient trust and privacy if GP records are integrated into Palantir’s system. The government faces pressure to decide whether to allow broader access to sensitive health data, which could require legislative changes. NHS England’s ongoing reliance on Palantir’s platform may continue until at least 2029, impacting how patient data is managed and accessed.