Rebuilding NHS Data Infrastructure Through Digital Transformation

Digital transformation in healthcare has become an operational necessity in today’s modern landscape. Yet many NHS providers continue to operate within a patchwork of legacy systems and disconnected digital environments. Decades of incremental system adoption, often at departmental or Trust level, have created a fragmented IT landscape where critical information remains siloed. The absence of a unified data platform and limited integration across local systems have made it difficult for clinicians to access a complete, real-time picture of patient care. As a result, nearly 30% of clinicians’ working hours are spent navigating these systems rather than engaging directly with patients.This fragmentation contributes to duplicated testing, incomplete patient histories, delayed diagnoses, and lower productivity, which are all direct outcomes of poor interoperability and inconsistent data exchange.

Recognising that this fragmentation cannot be solved through isolated system upgrades, NHS England has established a clear digital strategy to rebuild data foundations across the health service. At the centre of this approach is the creation of an interoperable, federated infrastructure that connects information across Trusts and care settings while empowering local autonomy. The NHS’s long-term and medium-term plans both reflect this direction, shifting care closer to communities and embedding digital solutions that support integration at every level. Under this framework, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS Trusts are being empowered to lead digital transformation locally, ensuring that innovation aligns with the unique needs and priorities of each region.

The Federated Data Platform: A Unified Foundation for NHS Data

The Federated Data Platform (FDP) is a core enabler of NHS digital transformation. Rather than replacing existing systems, it acts as an integration layer, securely connecting operational data held across legacy platforms to create a unified, real-time view of patients, services, and resources.

Designed with a federated architecture, the FDP gives each NHS Trust and ICBs its own secure, self-managed environment, known as an instance. These instances allow organisations to manage and act on their own data while retaining full data controllership. They can also connect with other instances when appropriate, such as during patient discharge coordination across care settings. At the national level, NHS Englandoperates its own instance to support strategic planning and consolidate statutory reporting.

The platform is delivered by a consortium led by Palantir Technologies, whose Foundry software provides the technical foundation. Foundry enables integration of siloed systems, such as elective waiting lists, bed occupancy, theatre rosters, and medical supply data into a single, operationally useful view. This allows NHS organisations to plan care more effectively, act on real-time data, and reduce delays.

Deployment of the FDP began in 2024, with 91 NHS Trusts currently onboarded and ongoing progress toward the target of 240 organisations by 2027. Early adopters of the platform are already beginning to see measurable improvements in operational performance and patient flow: 

However, a number of Trusts are still lagging behind on adoption, failing to captilise on the benefits that developing localised FDP use cases promises. 

Navigating Change with the Right Partner

With the FDP now entering mass rollout, its adoption across the NHS is not a question of if, but how well. The platform represents a fundamental shift in how operational data is accessed and used. While its national infrastructure is in place, the success of the FDP will ultimately depend on how effectively it is implemented and embedded at the local level.

This next phase presents a distinct set of challenges. Many Trusts and ICBs are already managing longstanding legacy systems and limited digital capacity. Introducing the FDP requires careful alignment with existing workflows, clear governance, and the ability to deliver value quickly and visibly. Concerns may include how the FDP aligns with existing tools, how quickly it can deliver value, and whether frontline staff will engage with it in practice.

Early adoption of the FDP has shown strong results across NHS Trusts. In Dorset, integrating waiting lists, staffing, and leave data into a single planning view enabled the scheduling of approximately 2,500 additional procedures annually. In South London (Croydon), the FDP reduced same-day cancellations by 38%, improved theatre utilisation by 12%, and freed up clinical time previously spent on coordination tasks. Meanwhile, in North Cumbria, switching from manual theatre planning to the FDP cut scheduling time significantly and allowed the Trust to perform up to 10% more surgeries. These cases demonstrate how targeted, well-integrated use cases can lead to faster care, better use of resources, and more efficient operations.

To replicate these benefits more widely, many NHS organisations will require the support of a  specialist technology partner. Implementing the FDP is not just a matter of technical deployment. It requires careful integration, local workflow alignment, and the ability to demonstrate early, measurable value. Whether the goal is to improve patient flow, reduce delays, or streamline theatre scheduling, Trusts need focused, practical solutions that make a difference on the ground.

FPT: A Strategic Partner for Local FDP Implementation

To support this process, FPT brings a strong combination of technical capability and healthcare experience. As an  official Palantir partner, FPT has over 200 certificates in configuring, customising, and scaling Palantir solutions for complex environments. Our experience in both platform deployment and workflow integration ensures that technology is not only implemented effectively but also used in ways that align with local priorities.

In the UK healthcare sector, FPT has already demonstrated our ability to modernise legacy systems. Working with a radiology technology provider, FPT led the transformation of an outdated  Radiology Information System (RIS) into a modern, cloud-native platform enhanced with artificial intelligence. The updated system included voice recognition, real-time dashboards, and automation features, and was delivered within ten months. It now supports more than  200,000 users across over 700 clinical sites and has been recognised as the  leading RIS in the UK. 

Read more about the case study here.

FPT’s experience with Palantir technology extends to other high-complexity sectors. The company has worked closely with  Airbus to deliver and scale  Skywise, a real-time operational data platform powered by Palantir. FPT contributed to the integration of large, distributed data sources, the development of workflow tools, and the enablement of end users across regions. This long-standing partnership, formalised under a Global Strategic IT Agreement in 2025, reflects FPT’s ability to deliver Palantir-based solutions at scale.

For NHS organisations preparing to implement the FDP, FPT is well-positioned to assist. The company can quickly deploy combined teams of healthcare and Palantir experts to work directly with local teams. This includes identifying operational challenges, co-developing use cases, and embedding live solutions into daily workflows. FPT’s approach is practical, focused on delivering measurable improvements and supporting sustained adoption. By partnering with FPT, Trusts and ICBs can accelerate implementation, realise early value, and build a strong foundation for long-term impact.

Author Tran Diep Trinh