Here is a little story about how stupid some rules, regulations and People can be.
I received a phone call this morning that went thus:
"Good Morning can I speak to Catherine Hann please?"Sorry she isn't here at the moment can I ask who is calling?
"My name is Meredith, I need to contact her can I please have her mobile number or work phone number?"Erm.....no.
"Oh.........um...why not?"Where are you calling from?
"I'm sorry but under the privacy act I am not allowed to say"So let me understand this, You know who I am and you know who my wife is and you know our home telephone number but you wont tell me who you are or who you represent and you want me to give you my wife's private contact details? Can you understand why I wont be doing that?
"I'm sorry Mr Hann but its important that I speak to her"No, I'm sorry. Unless you are prepared to give me your details I'm afraid I will not be giving you any information at all.
silence"Can I leave my name and number and ask that you get her to call me back?"Certainly, your name is Meredith and your number there Meredith?
"My number is 8370 8777. Thank you Mr Hann"You are welcome Meredith
(me at my patronising best )Of course I immediately rang the number which I didn't recognise."Good Morning Stirling Medical Clinic Meredith speaking"Hi Meredith, Bret Hann here just confirming the number you gave me. Would you like me to get Cath to call Don (
our Doctor and personal friend) direct on his mobile?
"Oh er, yes that would be good. Thankyou"This is just one situation amongst hundreds that happen each year to us personally because of the stupidity of Privacy Act here in Australia. The same scenario in different versions is repeated constantly. Dumb Dumb Dumb.
/End Rant