New Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Service: towards a healthier and happier community

The Mental Health Division is pleased to announce the launch of a new specialist service, bringing together Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) clinicians and Addiction Psychiatrists, and merging the former Alcohol and Other Drugs Consultation and Liaison Service with the SPECTRE unit.

The Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology (APT) Service is available to consumers admitted through the Northern Hospital Emergency Department, medical and surgical inpatients, psychiatry wards, and for current consumers of our mental health services.

Services include specialist assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of co-occurring substance use disorders and toxicity, secondary consultations with treating teams regarding advice on diagnosis, clinical management and treatment options.

The next phase of the service development will include a specialist Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Outpatient Clinic.

Belinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health said, “This is a significant service, as we bring together our Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology expertise to care for consumers in Melbourne’s north.”

Associate Professor Joe Rotella, Clinical Toxicologist and Emergency Physician, said, “This is a unique opportunity to do something that forgoes the status quo and seeks to do better for our consumers. The creation of a multi-specialty and multi-disciplinary team is the very embodiment of our values, ‘Safe, Kind and Together’. As the quote goes ‘to get something different, you must do something different”.

Joby Philip – Manager for APT said, “We are committed to providing the best possible care to those struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental and physical health co-morbidities. The new Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Service, is a step towards a healthier and happier community.”

Pictured from left to right (from the top): 

Belinda Scott – Executive Director Mental Health, Dr. Brian O Riordan – APT Toxicology Consultant, Associate Professor Joe Rotella- APT Toxicology Lead Consultant, 

Shiruo Liu – AOD Senior Clinician, Sonia Andersen – AOD Senior Clinician

Dr Aniruddh Narasimha- Addiction Psychiatrist, Dr Nathan Clinton- APT Toxicology Registrar

Dr Prince Rajamanickam- Addiction Psychiatrist, Trudy Mponda- AOD Senior Clinician

Dr Saada Malouf – APT Toxicology Consultant, Harjot Kaur Brar- AOD Senior Clinician, Emily Whitfield – Administration Officer

Joby Philip – APT Manager