Rotherham Council has passed a motion urging both local health trusts and central government to halt further expansion of the NHS contract with US firm Palantir, the council confirmed after a full meeting on 15 July.
What councillors voted for
The motion, brought by Independent councillor Taiba Yasseen, calls for the council to ask the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust to pause adding new patient data sets to the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) provided by Palantir while the national contract is reviewed.
- The council seeks a review by its scrutiny committee into how Palantir is using patient and non-patient data.
- Councillors want assurances that Rotherham residents will be consulted before any further expansion.
- The motion highlights concerns about the types of information processed, including diagnoses, medication and sexual and reproductive health records.
“Rotherham is a poor community and has high levels of deprivation, and we’ve got the mandate to represent our wards to ensure that we’re fighting for their rights to have their personal data protected against potentially nefarious uses,”
The motion notes the wider controversy around Palantir, which in 2023 secured a national contract for the FDP worth up to £330 million over seven years. It also references public concerns arising from the company’s past commercial relationships overseas.
Concerns raised by councillors and campaigners
Speakers supporting the motion argued that residents should be made aware of and consulted on how their health information might be accessed and used. Members pointed to the sensitivity of particular data types and the potential for misuse if robust safeguards are not in place.
One Green councillor who seconded the motion said engaging the public is essential because many people were unaware of the national contract and how it could affect them locally.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract | Seven-year NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) with Palantir |
| Value | Up to £330 million |
| Local action | Council motion approved to request pause and scrutiny |
What this means for local residents
The approved motion does not alter the national contract; it asks local NHS bodies and the council’s own scrutiny processes to pause and investigate prospective data additions and consult the public. Any change to the national programme would need action at NHS England or government level.
Residents concerned about how their NHS information is used can contact their local councillors, the relevant NHS trust communications teams or the council’s scrutiny committee to request details of planned data sharing. The motion also strengthens the case for public meetings and clearer local explanations of what the FDP will hold and who can access it.
By voting in favour, the council has placed Rotherham among a number of local authorities pressing for greater transparency and tighter safeguards over third-party access to sensitive health records.
