Based at Great Ormond Street Hospital since 2007, Dr Alessandro Giardini is a highly experienced Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist and the Director of Inpatient Services. Dr Giardini is in charge of the cardiac ward and the cardiac high dependency unit and is responsible for overseeing the care of all children admitted to the hospital for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of congenital or acquired heart defects.

Dr Giardini graduated with a medical degree from the School of Medicine at the University of Bologna, Italy, where he also completed a PhD centred on the pathophysiology of heart failure in patients with congenital heart disease. He then went on to specialist paediatric cardiology training at the University of Bologna and also at the University of California in San Francisco.

With over 10 years of expertise in the diagnosis and management of children with congenital heart defects, particularly in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Dr Giardini his particularly highly regarded for his expertise in providing guidance for children and adolescents with documented cardiac disease and for those who complain of symptoms arising during exercise, such as palpitations, chest pains or fainting/syncope. He also leads specialist clinics for children with paediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Dr Giardini's care is heavily patient-focussed and he is extremely compassionate and understanding with children. Speaking on his practice, Dr Giardini explained, "For me, families are an essential part of the One Team concept that underlies everything we do in treating children in the cardiac ward. Our care is highly technical but must be delivered in a humane, personalised way".