Protesters have gathered outside a hospital in Hackney to oppose the potential extension of a multi-million-pound NHS data contract with a controversial US tech firm.
The protest outside Homerton Hospital on 1 October was one of more than 40 staged across the country on the same day.
Palantir was awarded a £330 million NHS England contract in 2023. The contract is being reviewed by the Government ahead of a decision on whether it will be extended.
Campaigners, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), have raised concerns about the company’s work with Israel’s Ministry of Defence and its involvement in US immigration enforcement under Donald Trump.
Lewis Backon, PSC’s campaigns officer, said: “The protests demonstrate the deep opposition to Palantir’s involvement in our NHS.
“Palantir is supplying Israel with technology used to accelerate the mass destruction of entire neighbourhoods, schools and hospitals as part of its genocide in the Gaza Strip.
“The government must use the break clause to get Palantir out of our NHS, as a first step towards ending its contracts with the British government.”
Last week’s protest followed earlier concerns from Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust about demonstrations taking place on hospital property.
Earlier this year, the trust asked the PSC not to protest on its grounds, citing concerns about the wellbeing of patients and staff.
Ian Rothwell, Trust Secretary, said: “As a healthcare provider, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has a duty to remain politically neutral.
“Staff have increasingly reported feeling anxious, and in some cases unsafe, particularly in the context of protests.
“We have a responsibility to ensure their safety and wellbeing are protected at all times.”
The PSC has since continued to stage protests outside the hospital.
Palantir was awarded the NHS England contract in November 2023 and has since faced growing opposition, with cross-party groups calling for the Government to cut ties with the organisation.
A spokesperson for the company said: “Palantir software is helping to deliver better care.
“But that is what it is – software that helps the NHS better manage the data it already holds.
“How that software is used is controlled by the NHS Trusts who use it.”
Palantir has secured several other public sector contracts across Britain, including a £240 million agreement with the Ministry of Defence in 2025.
The NHS contract is currently being reviewed by the UK Government, with a decision expected by the end of the year.
Featured images: Jolie Whittingham
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