In a letter to the minister for health innovation at the DHSC, James Frith, National Data Guardian, Dr Nicola Byrne, highlighted reluctance to adopt the FDP due to concerns about Palantir over the US software company's contracts with Israeli defence and intelligence organisations, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Dr Byrne said the ‘striking' level of public opposition includes ‘a perceived misalignment between the values of the company and the values of the NHS, and questions of national data sovereignty'.

She also noted concerns about the way some statistics about the programme's benefits have been presented.

Concerns over NHS England's presentation of FDP-related data about patient removals from waiting lists are being examined by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

Dr Byrne said the rising number of opt-outs risk reducing the national datasets  ‘completeness and representativeness, with consequences for service improvement and planning, the UK's health research and innovation, and ultimately our ability to improve health and care'.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘As per standard practice, the provider contract for the NHS Federated Data Platform will be reviewed ahead of the end of the initial 3-year term in March 2027, taking into account all relevant evidence, including future engagement with stakeholders and the market. We are grateful for the perspective shared by the National Data Guardian and recognise the importance of public trust in successful NHS transformation. 

‘The FDP provides benefits for thousands more patients every month, including through the reduction in the number of unnecessary days spent in hospital after treatment.'