Cover sheet de-identification is the removal of patient data from the front page of a study packet under the DPA 2018 and the NHS Code of Confidentiality (common-law duty of confidence). anonym.plus runs it on your device. The packet flow stays, but the front page names no one.
When this applies
A study packet ships with a front page full of patient data. The packet can move on, yet the name, the date, and the fax line must be hidden first.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the file (PDF or scan) on your own machine.
- Local OCR reads the printed front page.
- The tool boxes names, dates, IDs, and fax lines.
- Review each box and add any the eye still sees.
- Black out the boxed text, or swap it for a token.
- Save the clean front page. The source stays with you.
What you need to provide
- The file (PDF, DOCX, or image scan).
- An operator: Redact (remove), Replace (swap), or Mask (partial).
- Optional: a fixed box for a repeated header layout.
Patient data entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Aisha Bello → [PATIENT_1] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | Sent 30/05/2026 → [DATE] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | MRN 215603 → [MRN] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | Fax +44 20 7946 0171 → [FAX] |
| Site | ORGANIZATION | Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham → [SITE] |
| Location | LOCATION | 44 Cedar Lane, Birmingham → [ADDRESS] |
Compliance achieved
- Removes patient data under DPA 2018 & NHS Code of Confidentiality (common-law duty of confidence).
- Health data is special-category data under UK GDPR Art. 9.
- Runs offline; no cloud processor contract is needed.
- Working files are kept safe with AES-256-GCM.
Anonymise cover sheets offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
The front page often holds the most patient data in one place. Redaction is final, so keep a secure source copy if you may need the names later.
Frequently asked questions
What sits on a study cover sheet?
Usually the name, the date, the fax line, and the sending site. It is the densest patch of patient data, so it gets careful redaction.
Is fax-number redaction supported?
Yes. A fax line is a contact number under the DPA 2018. It is flagged like a phone, so you can black it out or swap it.
Can I reuse one box layout across packets?
Yes. Set a fixed box for a repeated header. The same area gets covered on each front page, which speeds a big batch.