Sick note and fit note redaction is the removal of special category identifiers from a GP's slip (Med 3) under UK GDPR Art. 9 and the DPA 2018. The certificate supports Statutory Sick Pay and a return-to-work plan, yet the clinical detail stays private. anonym.plus marks each one on your device, so the document stays readable while the patient drops out.
When this applies
A GP's slip states a name, a condition, and a fit-for-work date. You strip the Art. 9 identifiers before a copy joins the absence file.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the slip in anonym.plus on your device.
- Local OCR reads a scanned, signed GP page.
- The tool flags names, dates, and the condition.
- Keep the work-status line a manager needs.
- Swap or black out the confirmed items.
- Save the de-identified copy locally.
What you need to provide
- The certificate (PDF, DOCX, or scan).
- An operator (Replace keeps the status readable).
- Optional alias map across linked papers.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | patient L. Murray → [EMPLOYEE] |
| Health | MEDICAL_CONDITION | condition → [CONDITION] |
| NHS Number | UK_NHS | 485 777 3456 → [NHS_NO] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | fit for work 06/2026 → [DATE] |
| Clinician | PERSON | GP practice → [CLINICIAN] |
| NI number | UK_NINO | QQ 33 12 88 A → [NINO] |
Compliance achieved
- Treats the slip as special category data under UK GDPR Art. 9 & DPA 2018.
- Keeps the work-status line a manager must act on for SSP and return-to-work.
- Offline work keeps the certificate off any server.
Anonymise sick notes and fit notes offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
The tool flags named items, yet a rare condition plus a role can still hint at a worker. Read the document before filing, and keep absence medical data apart from the general personnel file.
Frequently asked questions
Does a manager need the condition on a fit note?
Usually no. They need the work status and any advice on adjustments. The diagnosis can be stripped, and the tool flags it so you decide.
Does a Med 3 support SSP?
It evidences the absence that underpins Statutory Sick Pay. You can redact the clinical detail and still keep the status and dates that matter.
Is the document uploaded?
No. The app runs offline, so the GP's slip stays on your device.