NHS England Initiates Search for FDP Evaluation Partner
NHS England has published a contract valued at an estimated £600,000 to secure an evaluation partner for its ambitious Federated Data Platform (FDP) programme. The primary objective of this contract is to rigorously assess the FDP's impact, determine if its stated objectives are being met, capture crucial learnings, and demonstrate value for money and accountability to stakeholders.
Submissions for this evaluation partnership were invited until January 5, 2026, with an award decision anticipated around the end of January 2026. The successful bidder will undertake a three-year contract, projected to run from February 2026 to February 2029.
Understanding the Federated Data Platform (FDP)
The Federated Data Platform is a national programme designed to establish a governed and secure data infrastructure across the NHS. Its purpose is to enable NHS organisations to connect and share data across various settings, including acute care, community services, and primary care. The FDP is envisioned as software that will integrate existing disparate systems, allowing for more efficient data utilization and improved decision-making.
Key operational use cases for the FDP include:
- Population health and person insight
- Care coordination
- Supply chain management
- Vaccination and immunisation programmes
- Elective recovery efforts
The overarching goal is to streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens on staff, and ultimately enhance patient care by providing clinicians with timely access to comprehensive information.
Broader Context and Previous Contracts
This evaluation contract follows the significant award of the main FDP contract in November 2023 to a consortium led by US data analytics firm Palantir. This primary contract is valued at up to £330 million over a seven-year period and includes support from partners such as Accenture, PwC, NECS, and Carnall Farrar.
NHS England has consistently emphasized stringent data security and privacy measures for the FDP. The organisation states that no external company involved in the platform can access health and care data without explicit NHS permission, and all data remains under NHS control. It is intended solely for direct care and planning, with a clear exclusion of GP data from the national version of the software. An additional contract for Privacy Enhancing Technology (PET) was awarded to IQVIA to further safeguard data.
Separately, a £35,000 contract was recently awarded to Akeso and Company Limited, a London-based firm, to conduct research into customer needs and perceptions of the FDP, with this work scheduled to conclude by March 31, 2026.
Ensuring Accountability and Value
The procurement of an independent evaluation partner underscores NHS England's commitment to transparency and accountability for the FDP, which is classified as a Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) initiative. The evaluation will be critical in demonstrating the programme's effectiveness and its contribution to improving healthcare services across the United Kingdom.
6 Comments
Africa
Another huge contract, another US firm. Is our data truly safe?
Coccinella
While a robust data platform could improve care coordination, the sheer cost and involvement of private firms like Palantir raise serious questions about data sovereignty and public trust.
Habibi
Good to see them investing in proper oversight. Data platforms need robust checks.
Muchacha
The promise of enhanced patient care through data sharing is compelling, but the track record of large-scale IT projects in the NHS suggests we should be cautiously optimistic about its actual implementation and benefits.
Bella Ciao
It's good that they are evaluating value for money on such a large investment. Yet, given the FDP's primary contractor, concerns about data privacy and the potential for commercial exploitation of health data remain.
Noir Black
Improved decision-making means better outcomes. Hope this platform delivers!