May 2025
The NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) has been one of the most talked-about developments in England’s digital health landscape since its announcement and subsequent contract award to Palantir in late 2023. Designed to connect and integrate health data across systems, the FDP promises to support improved patient care, planning, and research through more streamlined, secure access to data.
But how are Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England responding to this major national initiative? We took a deep dive into the board papers, strategy documents, and public reports from all 42 ICBs to find out. What we found was a spectrum of engagement—from enthusiastic early adoption to cautious evaluation, and in some cases, complete silence.
The Four Tiers of FDP Engagement
To help make sense of the landscape, we’ve grouped the ICBs into four categories based on their level of engagement with the FDP:
🟢 Early Adopters
These ICBs are not just talking about the FDP—they’re piloting tools, aligning local systems, and engaging directly with NHS England as testbeds for national implementation.
- NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB: Actively involved in national FDP pilots, including population health use cases.
- NHS Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire ICB: Exploring early adoption opportunities and engaging with national strategy.
- NHS North West London ICB: Using OPTICA, a discharge tool supported by the FDP.
- NHS Devon ICB: In discussions around data architecture alignment and early implementation.
🟡 Supporting
These ICBs have acknowledged the FDP in their strategic planning and expressed support for integration with national systems.
- NHS Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland ICB: Monitoring FDP development and planning for integration.
- NHS North East & North Cumbria ICB: Strategically committed to national alignment.
- NHS West Yorkshire ICB: Planning implementation in local digital roadmap.
- NHS Sussex ICB: Embracing FDP as part of a broader integrated data strategy.
- NHS Somerset ICB: Working with NHS England while continuing to invest in local platforms.
🟠 Cautious
Some ICBs are skeptical of the FDP’s value versus their existing systems. They are engaging, but with a clear message: local platforms might already offer better functionality.
- NHS Greater Manchester ICB: Openly questioning the need for FDP given their mature local data ecosystem.
- NHS Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust (representing local concerns): Voicing concerns about data governance under Palantir.
🔴 Not Supporting / No Public Engagement
The majority of ICBs fall into this category. As of May 2025, there is no public evidence—through board papers, strategies, or statements—that these organizations have engaged with the FDP:
Bedfordshire, Birmingham & Solihull, Black Country, BOB (Bucks, Oxon, Berks), Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Cornwall, Coventry & Warwickshire, Derby & Derbyshire, Dorset, Frimley, Gloucestershire, Hampshire & IoW, Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Herts & West Essex, Humber & North Yorkshire, Kent & Medway, Lancashire & South Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Mid & South Essex, Norfolk & Waveney, North Central London, North East London, Northamptonshire, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, Shropshire T&W, South East London, South West London, Staffordshire & Stoke, Suffolk & NE Essex, Surrey Heartlands, West Midlands.
This does not necessarily mean these ICBs are uninterested. Some may be engaging privately or waiting for clearer national guidance and resources before going public.
Why This Matters
The FDP represents a seismic shift in how data could be used across the NHS. But national platforms are only as strong as their local uptake. Understanding where ICBs stand helps reveal both momentum and roadblocks in digital transformation.
More importantly, the way each ICB balances local autonomy with national integration reflects broader tensions in healthcare policy. Should systems opt in to shared platforms, or build local solutions tailored to their unique populations? Should vendors like Palantir play a central role in NHS infrastructure?
As we move further into 2025, these questions will define not just the success of the FDP, but the future shape of digital health in England.
We’ll continue to track every step of this evolving story.