Flagship NHSE tech policy creating ‘patient safety risks’, claim analysts

Patient safety risks are being created by central demands that NHS organisations adopt the new federated data platform and “close down” existing systems, according to the body representing the service’s analysts.

In a letter to NHS England chief data and analytics officer Ming Tang, the Chief Data and Analytical Officers Network (CDAON) has stepped up earlier complaints about the FDP and its rollout, calling for a “reset” of NHSE’s approach.

The letter also questions whether the FDP is fit for purpose in achieving the government’s goal of moving care into the community. The £330m seven-year contract to deliver the FDP platform was won by US data company Palantir in 2023.

The FDP was originally launched on the basis that it could be used on a voluntary basis. However, under direction of ministers, NHSE has now moved to an “FDP-first policy”, to the alarm of many senior figures working in NHS technology.  

The letter, seen by HSJ, is signed by CDAON chair and Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board data chief Marc Farr and says: “Anecdotally we are aware of systems being directed to close down existing systems because the functionality is planned within the FDP…

“However we are not convinced that the functionality is imminent and therefore that a risk to patient safety exists – we can cite specific examples.”

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Source: HSJ, 23 April 2025