Log anonymisation is the removal of personal data from the record of reminder texts a clinic sends. DPA 2018 and the NHS Code of Confidentiality apply. anonym.plus swaps the identifiers on your device, so the delivery stats stay usable.
When this applies
A reminder system stores each text with the recipient’s number, name, and slot. To study delivery and response rates, the personal parts must go.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the send history in anonym.plus on your device.
- It finds phone numbers, names, dates, and slot identifiers.
- Delivery status and timing columns stay in place.
- Swap the personal fields, or black them out.
- Save the clean history on your device.
What you need to provide
- The history (CSV, JSON, or a text dump).
- An operator: Replace keeps the rows readable.
- Optional column map for number and name fields.
Patient data entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | +44 7700 900 166 → [PHONE] |
| Names | PERSON | recipient name → [PATIENT] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | sent 07:00 04 Jun → [TIME] |
| Free text | PERSON | “Hi Sam, your appointment…” → [NAME] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | booking ref → [REF] |
| Location | LOCATION | clinic name → [CLINIC] |
Compliance achieved
- Meets DPA 2018 & NHS Code of Confidentiality for reuse.
- Catches names inside the message body, not just the number column.
- Offline work keeps the send history on-site.
Anonymise SMS reminder logs offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
The message body often greets the patient by first name, so the text and the number column both need a pass. A short body gives the tool few cues, so review the flags before you export.
Frequently asked questions
Is the phone number alone enough to remove?
It is a direct identifier and must go. But the body often names the patient too, so both the number and the text are swapped.
Do delivery stats survive?
Yes. Status and timing columns stay, so response-rate work runs while the personal fields are gone.
Can I process the whole history at once?
Yes. Point the tool at the export and it cleans each row on your device.