At SPOT Care Pediatric Medical Care Practice, our team of specialist paediatricians is dedicated to delivering exceptional, evidence-based care for every child — from the very first breath to the last day of school.
Paediatricians are not only for babies. Our specialist team provides expert medical care for children from birth all the way through to 18 years of age, supporting healthy growth, development, and well-being at every stage of childhood.
Our specialist paediatricians bring together decades of clinical experience, academic distinction, and a genuine passion for child health. Working collaboratively within the SPOT ecosystem, they ensure every child receives personalised, multidisciplinary care.
Specialist Paediatrician
MBBCh (Wits) ,FCPaed(SA)
MSc Neonatology (Southampton) – with Distinction
Dr Graham Jones is a Specialist Paediatrician with over 20 years of clinical experience. He holds an International Master’s Degree in Neonatology and has dedicated the last 18 years of his practice to the field he is most passionate about — neonatology and the care of our most vulnerable new arrivals.
His career is defined not only by his extensive training but by his abiding love for paediatrics. Dr Jones’s deep commitment to neonatal care means that families in the NICU and delivery suite are in the hands of a clinician who combines world-class specialist expertise with genuine compassion.
As the clinical lead of the SPOT paediatric team, Dr Jones fosters a collaborative, patient-centred approach that ensures every child — from premature infants to complex school-age cases — receives the highest standard of care.
MBBCh (UP) | MMed (UP) | FCPaed (SA)
I qualified as a Specialist Paediatrician through the South African College of Medicine in 2017 and completed my Master’s degree through the University of Pretoria in 2018. I became a proud member of the SPOT team in 2024, where many may know me as “the Unicorn Doctor”.
I am passionate about caring for children of all ages, from managing acute illnesses to supporting those with chronic conditions so that they can reach their full potential. During routine check-ups, I aim to empower parents with the knowledge and confidence to navigate each stage of their child’s development.
I believe in building a supportive, trusting relationship with both my patients and their families throughout each child’s unique journey. I have created a colourful “Rainbows and Unicorns” room to help children feel at ease, and I hope that it will encourage every incredible little patient to unleash their creativity and individuality!
MBBCh (Wits) | DCH (SA) | MMed (Wits) | FCPaed (SA)
Dr Alison van der Nest is a Fellow of the College of Paediatricians of South Africa, having completed her specialist training at the University of the Witwatersrand. She holds an additional Diploma in Child Health and brings a warm, patient-centred approach to the care of infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and school-age children.
MBChB (Cum Loude)(UP), FCPoed(SA), MMed Poeds(Cum Loude)(UP), DCH(SA), Dip HIV Mon (Cum Loude)(SA)
MBBCh (Wits) | FCPaed (SA)
Dr Melanie Dance qualified as a medical doctor at the University of the Witwatersrand and went on to specialise in paediatrics, earning her fellowship with the College of Paediatricians of South Africa. She gained extensive experience at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, including time in paediatric intensive care and later as a consultant in general paediatrics.
With decades of experience, Dr Dance is known for her calm, thoughtful approach and her commitment to accurate, gentle diagnosis. She places strong emphasis on helping parents understand their child’s condition, ensuring they feel confident and supported in managing their child’s health.
Many parents associate paediatricians with infants and very young children — but specialist paediatric care is valuable and important throughout the entire journey from birth to adolescence. Whether your child is a newborn in the NICU, a toddler with recurrent ear infections, a pre-schooler showing signs of a developmental delay, or a 10-year-old managing asthma or a chronic condition, our team has the specialist knowledge to help.
Growing up is a complex, dynamic process — and each stage of childhood brings its own unique health milestones, challenges, and risks. Our specialist paediatricians are trained to understand these nuances, providing age-appropriate care that evolves as your child does.
Services include:
We care for children from birth through to 12 years of age.
From the delivery suite to the classroom, SPOT’s specialist paediatricians are with
your family every step of the way.
Here is how our specialist paediatric team supports your child at each stage of development:
The earliest weeks of a baby’s life are among the most medically significant. Our team provides expert neonatal care including attendance at deliveries, post-natal check-ups, NICU care for premature or medically complex newborns, newborn screening, jaundice management, feeding support, and guidance for parents navigating the challenges of those first precious weeks.
As your baby grows through their first year, our paediatricians monitor developmental milestones, oversee the vaccination schedule, assess growth and nutrition, and provide expert guidance on feeding, sleep, and behaviour. We are here to investigate and manage illness, infections, and any concerns that arise during this rapid period of growth and change.
The toddler years are full of discovery — and full of visits to the doctor. Our team manages everything from recurrent ear infections, tonsil and adenoid concerns, and skin conditions to developmental assessments, speech and language milestones, and the management of allergies and asthma. We also provide guidance on nutrition, behaviour, and sleep as your child grows.
The pre-school years are a critical window for identifying and addressing developmental concerns. Our paediatricians conduct thorough developmental screenings, assess school readiness, manage chronic conditions such as asthma and eczema, and coordinate care with occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other specialists within the SPOT ecosystem to ensure your child is prepared for the next big step.
Specialist paediatric care doesn’t end when your child starts school. Our team continues to support school-age children with chronic disease management, complex case investigation, recurrent infection management, allergy and asthma care, and the monitoring of growth and nutrition. We also work closely with families and educators to manage conditions that affect learning, concentration, and overall wellbeing.
Our specialist paediatric team offers a comprehensive range of services across all age groups, from birth through to 12 years:
Thorough health assessments at key milestones from birth through to age 12, ensuring your child is growing and developing as expected.
Scheduled visits aligned with the SA immunisation programme, combining a full health review with age-appropriate vaccines.
Regular tracking of weight, height, and nutritional status using standardised growth charts, with guidance on healthy eating at every age.
Assessment of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social milestones to identify any areas of concern early and refer appropriately.
Same-day or urgent consultations for childhood illness, injury, and acute conditions, followed by structured follow-up to ensure full recovery.
Investigation of children who experience frequent ear, throat, chest, or urinary infections to identify underlying causes and provide lasting solutions.
Ongoing specialist care for children living with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and other long-term health conditions, tailored to each child’s needs.
Diagnosis and management of allergic conditions including food allergies, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and anaphylaxis risk — at any age.
Comprehensive asthma care including diagnosis, personalised treatment plans, inhaler technique training, and monitoring — from toddlers to tweens.
Expert workup and management of children with complex, multi-system, or diagnostically challenging conditions, in close collaboration with other specialists.
Specialist in-hospital management for children requiring admission, including dedicated neonatal intensive care for premature and medically complex newborns.
Dr Jones and the SPOT team attend high-risk and routine deliveries, ensuring expert paediatric support is present from the very first moment of life.
Our specialist paediatricians don’t work in isolation. As part of the broader SPOT ecosystem, they collaborate closely with independent practitioners, therapists, and allied health professionals — ensuring your child receives truly holistic, coordinated care under one roof, from birth through to age 12 and beyond.
