Getting an appointment should be straightforward, not stressful.

If you are worried about your child’s heart, the first step is simply getting in touch. Dr Giardini’s team aims to offer an initial appointment within one to two working days for urgent concerns, and same-day or next-day slots are available when the situation requires it. Saturday and Sunday clinics are also available at selected locations.

You do not need a GP referral to book directly, though your insurer may require one as a condition of your policy. If you are unsure, contact DrGiardini’s team first, and they will help you work out the quickest route tobeing seen.

Both in-person and video consultations are available.

Coming to a paediatric cardiology appointment for the first time can feel daunting. Most families leave feeling considerably more reassured than when they arrived. Here is what the appointment actually involves.

Initial consultations last between 30 and 45 minutes. Dr Giardini sees every patient personally. Dr. Giardini will have read and familiarised himself with all the information and referrals you will have forwarded ahead of the appointment. The appointment begins with a conversation. Dr Giardini will take time to understand your child’s history, the symptoms that brought you here, any relevant family background, and any concerns you want to raise. There is no rush. If your child is old enough to describe their own experience, Dr Giardini will speak with them directly and with you.

A physical examination follows. This includes a careful assessment of your child’s heart using a stethoscope, along with checks of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and general growth measurements. For babies and toddlers, Dr Giardini is experienced in keeping them settled and comfortable, and the examination is always tailored to the child’s age and temperament. Where clinically appropriate, Dr Giardini will perform an ECG (a painless recording of the heart’s electrical activity) and an echocardiogram (an ultrasound scan of the heart) during the same appointment. Crucially, he performs and interprets both tests himself, on the spot. This means that by the end of your visit, you will already have a clear picture of what the tests have shown, rather than waiting days or weeks for a separate report.

Before you leave, Dr Giardini will explain his findings in plain language, answer your questions, and outline any next steps.

Please click here to show your child a video of what happens in Dr. Giardini (Dr. G) office.

Self-paying patients
Initial consultation: £250
Follow-up consultation: £200 

Tests carried out on the day (ECG, echocardiogram) are invoiced separately by the hospital. Dr Giardini’s team can provide an estimate of the likely total cost before your appointment if you would find this helpful.

Insured patients
Dr Giardini is a recognised provider with all major insurers, including Bupa, AXA PPP, Simply Health, Aviva, Allianz International, Cigna, Healix, Prestige, Exeter, Vitality, WPA, SOS, Blue Shield, and others. Consultations and investigations are billed directly to your insurer at agreed rates.

Before your appointment, please contact your insurer to confirm your cover and obtain a pre-authorisation number. Bring your policy number and authorisation reference on the day. If pre-authorisation has not been arranged in advance, payment will be required at the time of the consultation, and you can then seek reimbursement from your insurer directly. Please check your policy for any excess, co-payment, or annual limits that may apply.

Cancellations
We ask for a minimum of 72 hours’ notice for cancellations or appointment changes. A cancellation fee may apply for late cancellations or missed appointments. Please contact the team as early as possible by email if your plans change.

Sometimes after a diagnosis is made at an outpatient appointment, your child may need to be admitted to hospital for further diagnostics or for treatment. Dr. Giardini is aware this is a very stressful time being honestly concerned about the medical condition, having to manage work and childcare. This is why Dr. Giardini and his team will make sure that your child's episode of care is arranged in detail and the plan is clearly communicated to you. A dedicated team will also help with practical aspects like arranging accomodation, bundling up tests on the same day where required, and coordinating appointments and reviews, etc.

Dr. Giardini has access to the most highly advanced medical technology and the best multidisciplinary team (MDT) members including Cardiac Surgeons, Anaesthesiologists, Paediatric Electrophysiologists, and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit specialists. If an admission is required Dr. Giardini will arrange it in a timely manner and will personally supervise the care delivered by reviewing your child on a daily basis until discharge.

Following your appointment, a detailed letter is sent to your GP and any referring specialist, keeping everyone who needs to be informed fully up to date. For children who require longer-term follow-up, Dr Giardini provides continuity of care across all clinic locations. As your child approaches 18, he will arrange a supported transition to an appropriate adult congenital cardiology centre, ensuring the change in care setting is managed carefully and with as much continuity as possible.