Hackney campaigners welcome Homerton’s assurance of no current plans to use Palantir platform

The Coalition urges residents to join the International Day of Action Against Palantir, today, Thursday 1st October

After a year of campaigning, the Hackney Coalition Against Palantir (HCAP) has welcomed an assurance that Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has no current plans to use the controversial NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP).

Deputy Chief Executive Tom Nettel outlined the Trust’s position when presenting its digital strategy to Hackney Council’s Adults Health and Integration Scrutiny Commission on 22nd September 2026, according to Coalition representatives who attended.

The FDP is an NHS data platform supplied through a contract led by US technology company Palantir. Its involvement has prompted concerns about patient confidence, public accountability and the company’s work with military and immigration enforcement agencies.

HCAP representatives George Binette and Pauline Moon addressed the Commission, questioning the platform’s uptake, evidence of benefits and value for money. They also highlighted Palantir’s work with Israel’s military and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising concerns about patient trust, particularly among communities affected by war, displacement and immigration enforcement.

Commission Chair Green Councillor Emmanuel Onapa expressed serious concerns about Palantir’s ethics. Councillors followed the presentations with questions about Homerton’s digital strategy and the platform.

Claudia Turbet-Delof, a coalition member and public governor at Homerton, said: “An emergency trip meant I was unable to attend last week’s scrutiny meeting and speak about my main concern: the distress this is causing vulnerable people, especially migrants. I am deeply worried that fear of deportation, fuelled by ICE’s actions in the United States and Palantir’s involvement, may lead people to refuse or avoid essential healthcare. Nobody should feel afraid to seek NHS care.

“My fellow campaigners Pauline Moon and George Binette did an exceptional job representing our coalition and bringing our concerns before the Council.

“I trust that everyone at Homerton, where I serve as a public governor, wants the best for patients. This confirmation is a significant step towards strengthening trust among patients and communities, particularly those distressed by Palantir’s activities.

“Everyone should feel safe seeking NHS care and confident that their personal information is protected. I am deeply concerned about Palantir’s role in immigration enforcement that tears families apart, and its military partnership with Israel amid the genocide in Gaza.

“As a Latin American woman, I am also alarmed by Peter Thiel’s growing political and commercial influence in our region. People in Argentina are standing up against what they see as his political project, raising concerns about sovereignty, surveillance, land and water.

“I share their fears that the pursuit of profit through land acquisition and resource-intensive data centres could come at the expense of communities and our Pachamama — Mother Earth. Our land, water and rights must be protected.

“All our struggles are interconnected. Bravo, Hackney, for standing up for our rights and showing unwavering international solidarity. We will continue campaigning for transparency, public accountability and the protection of everyone who relies on our NHS.”

The Coalition welcomes Homerton’s current position as an encouraging development following sustained community campaigning. It is calling for continued transparency and meaningful involvement of patients, staff and local communities in decisions about the Trust’s digital systems.

HCAP is also urging the Government to use the contractual opportunity to end NHS England’s agreement with Palantir and support NHS data systems that protect patient trust, demonstrate value for money and remain publicly accountable.

Join the International Day of Action Against Palantir — Thursday 1st October 2026.

Residents, patients, NHS workers, trade unionists and community organisations are invited to attend any or all of the following rallies.

– 12:45–1:45pm — Homerton Hospital, Homerton Row entrance. Rally called by UNISON.

– 5:00–5:45pm — Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road entrance, E1 1FR, next door to the Town Hall.

– 6:00pm — Palantir’s UK/Europe headquarters, 20 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QW.

Join us to demand an NHS whose use of technology reflects its public service values and earns the confidence of the communities it serves.

Image: https://southeast.unison.org.uk/news/2025/10/hampshire-nhs-trust-transfer-to-subco-is-a-no-go/ Creator: rawpixel.com | Credit: rawpixel.com. Licence: CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed