Amnesty-Led Day Of Action Against Palantir In The NHS, 1 October 2026
Patients, health workers and campaigners held demonstrations across England on Thursday 1 October. They urged NHS trusts and integrated care boards to refuse Palantir's technology and the government not to renew the company's NHS contract. The largest event was outside Palantir's London headquarters, where TechRadar reported hundreds of people. Amnesty International UK said more than 40 demonstrations took place. Global Justice Now's preview listed nearly 40 events, and TechRadar counted 45 locations across more than 30 cities.
Some local actions, including Ipswich and Lowestoft, were scheduled for 2 October instead.
Global Justice Now said Amnesty International led the day, with its local groups organising actions. A local Green Party listing named a wider coalition behind it, including Global Justice Now, Good Law Project, Keep Our NHS Public, Medact, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and We Own It.
Scenes from the day
At Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol 24/7 reported dozens of people at an evening protest. A leaflet handed to passers-by said local trusts are free to decline to work with Palantir's software. TechRadar, which attended, said most people there objected to the deal because of the company's involvement in global conflicts and immigration raids. They also accepted that the NHS may need a better data system, but not one from Palantir.
In London, Salamander News reported that hospital workers and campaigners from Amnesty, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Medact and Keep Our NHS Public protested at Lewisham and the Royal London Hospital. Keep Our NHS Public voiced concern that Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has signed up to the platform. The report also said Barts NHS Trust has used Palantir's theatre scheduling application since late 2023, and that more than 2,000 East London residents had formally demanded an end to Palantir's presence in the NHS by May 2026.
The arguments
Amnesty cited the company's relationship with the Israeli military, including a strategic partnership with Israel's Ministry of Defence. It pointed to its own conclusion that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Tom Guha, Amnesty UK's crisis campaigner, said the NHS must cut ties with Palantir because the contract is nearing renewal. Global Justice Now added data-performance concerns, citing reports that a third of hospitals using Palantir's scheduling tool were doing fewer operations than before.
The polling
Amnesty cited Savanta polling it commissioned of 2,023 UK adults between 10 and 13 July. It found 64% said it is important for the government to suspend NHS contracts with companies linked to serious human rights violations, including Palantir, rising to 75% among 2024 Labour voters.
Source: Amnesty UK / G;obal Justice / Morning Star
