Basanth has over 20 years of experience in psychiatry, encompassing work in both the public and private sectors and across two countries. Basanth has a particular interest in managing patients with co-occurring substance use and other mental health disorders, as well as chronic pain. 

It is not uncommon to see patients presenting with chronic pain being prescribed numerous medications that have accumulated over time, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Sometimes, the reliance on opioid analgesics (e.g., Oxycodone, Codeine) and benzodiazepines (e.g., Diazepam, Alprazolam) can progress into a substance use disorder or what is commonly known as addiction. Basanth is passionate about using the principles of deprescribing and assisting patients in reducing the number of medications they are on, especially when they might be causing more harm than good. There may be times when a patient requires opioid pharmacotherapy or substitution therapy with agents such as Buprenorphine (e.g., SuboxoneTM, BuvidalTM, SublocadeTM, Methadone). 

If you are sending a referral, please ensure it includes: 

detailed medical history, specialists involved, current medication list, recent investigations, etc., to assist with assessment.

Depending on the complexity, the initial assessment and treatment planning may require a few appointments. Basanth works closely with other treating specialists to facilitate any medication changes. He values input from psychologists and other allied health clinicians.

Please note that Basanth is currently not accepting TAC or Workover referrals. 

In his current public appointment, he works at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton. Basanth is the Chair of the Subcommittee for Advanced Training in Addiction Psychiatry at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry (RANZCP). He also sits on the committee of the Australian Deprescribing Network.