Adoption of the federated data platform (FDP) is making significant progress, according to a recent announcement from NHS England.
Following criticism from health secretary Wes Streeting in June 2024 regarding the slow adoption of the platform, which aims to consolidate information from various systems into one, NHSE has been actively working towards implementation.
The contract to operate the FDP was awarded to Palantir in November 2023, with KPMG also enlisted to drive adoption in March 2024.
Rebecca Llewellyn, FDP programme director at NHSE, shared in a bulletin dated 29 July 2024 that the transition of trusts to the FDP is progressing rapidly, with more trusts coming on board each day.
She highlighted that the transition stage is set to be completed by September 2024, followed by a focus on product enhancements, wider adoption, and ongoing support for new trusts and ICBs.
The first pilot hospitals, Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital, went live with the FDP in May 2024.
The FDP is designed to offer trusts and ICBs a range of locally commissioned products to support key NHS priorities such as elective recovery, care coordination, vaccination, population health management, and supply chain management.
Currently, four products are available to trusts and ICSs utilizing the FDP, with more in development and testing for future rollout.
In January 2024, concerns arose about Palantir’s conduct related to the FDP contract, prompting legal action from the Good Law Project regarding transparency and data protection issues.
Protests have also emerged against Palantir’s involvement in the FDP, calling for NHSE to reconsider the partnership due to ethical concerns.
