Qualifications: MBBS, DPM, DNB (Psychiatry), FRANZCP, Cert. Addiction Psych
Dr Basanth Kenchaiah is a sessional Consultant Psychiatrist at Delmont Private Hospital specialising in addiction psychiatry, deprescribing, and complex polypharmacy, with a particular interest in patients with co-occurring substance use and other mental health disorders, as well as chronic pain.
Basanth has over 20 years of experience in psychiatry, encompassing work in both the public and private sectors and across two countries.
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., Suboxone™, Buvidal™, Sublocade™) or 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.
Not currently accepting general TAC, WorkCover, or DVA referrals. Exceptions considered for opioid substitution therapy.
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.
In his current public appointment, he works at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton. Basanth was formerly 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 executive committee of the Australian Deprescribing Network.
For more information and resources, visit basanthkenchaiah.com.au.