OUR TEAM

Simon Burnet is a Consultant Rheumatologist at 332 South Terrace and consults at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He also conducts regular country rheumatology clinics in Crystal Brook and supervises the training of Rheumatology Registrars in both his public and private clinics. Dr Burnet was the Medical Director of Arthritis SA for ten years and remains active in rheumatology educational programs for General Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals, hospital trainees and medical students. His clinical interests include the management of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune connective tissue disorders, gout, temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Sajini Basnayake is a Consultant Rheumatologist dedicated to treating people with a wide range of rheumatic conditions; she has a particular interest in inflammatory arthritis (Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Gout) and inflammatory myopathies. She completed her specialist Rheumatology training (FRACP) in Adelaide, having obtained her primary medical degree from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Since then she has worked in London, United Kingdom with exposure to Rheumatology and completed her specialist training in Adelaide in 2013. Dr Basnayake also has experience in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. She consults at 332 South Terrace on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and in Angaston every second month on a Friday.

Kimberley Ting graduated from Flinders University in 2008, and completed her physician and rheumatology training in 2015. She has worked in both clinical and research roles at the RAH, TQEH and FMC. She enjoys all aspects of rheumatology, with an interest in inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease, alongside academic interests in giant cell arteritis and gout. Dr Ting consults on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Nieves (Bess) completed dual training in Rheumatology and Acute and General Care Medicine. She worked as a General Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2008 before Basic Physician Training at Lyell McEwin Hospital in 2011. She worked in all the major hospitals in South Australia during her advance training in Adult Medicine. She has special interest in inflammatory arthritis and connective tissue diseases. She speaks both English and Tagalog. Dr Leonardo also visits Mount Gambier and Naracoorte regularly.

Rachel Black is a Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and she visits Clare Medical Centre every 8 weeks. She graduated from The University of Adelaide in 2004 and completed her training as a rheumatologist in SA in 2012. She is an active clinician researcher with an interest in epidemiology and undertook a research fellowship at The University of Manchester, UK in 2013, having been awarded the Ken Muirden Overseas Training Fellowship for that year. She received her doctorate from The University of Adelaide in 2019, with a Dean’s commendation. Rachel enjoys all aspects of clinical rheumatology including the management of inflammatory arthritis, vasculitis, and autoimmune diseases.

Navkiran Sidhu is an Australian trained Consultant Rheumatologist, skilled at diagnosing and managing an array of complex rheumatological conditions, with a keen interest in inflammatory arthritis. In 2021, Dr Sidhu became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Following this, she completed a clinical research fellowship in early rheumatoid arthritis and palindromic rheumatism at Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, a EULAR centre of excellence in the UK. Additionally, she gained experience at Leiden University Medical Centre, another EULAR centre of excellence, where she focused on the role of MRI in early arthritis detection and received the ARAQ scholarship. Dr Sidhu has published several articles in peer reviewed journals. Dr Sidhu is available to offer consultations in private practice and provides cover at RAH and QEH.

Julia New-Tolley completed her medical degree at the University of Western Sydney, graduating with distinction and the Dean’s medal. Following internship in NSW she relocated to South Australia where she completed physician training. She was awarded her FRACP in rheumatology after completing rheumatology advanced training across metropolitan Adelaide. Julia is interested in all aspects of rheumatology. She is currently undertaking a Master of Clinical Science through the University of Adelaide focusing on rheumatoid arthritis and exercise. Dr New-Tolley consults at Klemzig Village Medical Centre, 280 North East Road, Klemzig and visits Angaston on a Friday every second month.

Dr Vandana Bhushan (MBBS, FRACP) is a Consultant Rheumatologist with experience in both private practice and the public hospital system. She completed her rheumatology advanced training at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre. Dr Bhushan is currently also a Staff Specialist in both Rheumatology and General Medicine at the Lyell McEwin and Modbury Hospitals. Dr Bhushan has completed research in biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, exploring its retention rates. Additionally, she has been involved in studies on myositis and scleroderma. With dual specialisations in both Rheumatology and General Medicine, she brings a comprehensive and holistic approach to managing complex medical conditions. She has a special interest in inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Her interest extends to managing rheumatic immune-related adverse events.

Chris Watkin is a Consultant Rheumatologist practicing at 332 South Terrace and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 2012, and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in medical sciences from this institution. He came to Adelaide for a year in 2014, and hasn’t left, completing his training as a rheumatologist in South Australia. He is a general rheumatologist with interests across the spectrum of disorders, but with particular interest in inflammatory arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. He also has a strong background in general medicine, and integrates this knowledge into holistic patient care.