Welcome to UpToSPAED 2026

The Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Witwatersrand, in partnership with Wits Paediatric Fund, is delighted to invite you to UptoSpaed in 2026 — our annual conference created to inform, inspire, and connect everyone involved in the care of children.

This much-anticipated meeting has become a highlight on the paediatric calendar, offering a dynamic opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with the latest developments, current best practice, and state-of-the-art thinking in paediatrics. Each year, colleagues from across disciplines and sectors come together with a shared purpose: to strengthen the care we provide to children and families.

Whether you are a paediatric specialist, medical officer, registrar, nurse, clinical associate, paramedic, or other practitioner working in child health, this conference is designed with you in mind. We warmly welcome participants from both the public and private sectors, recognising the importance of shared learning, collaboration, and a united commitment to improving child health outcomes.

2026 promises an engaging and relevant programme that speaks to the realities of daily clinical practice while bringing participants up to date with important advances in the field. It is an opportunity to hear from experienced experts, revisit core principles, explore new developments, and gain practical insights that can be taken directly back into the workplace.
In a demanding and fast-moving healthcare environment, time spent learning together is more valuable than ever. This conference offers more than an update — it offers space to reflect, reconnect, and recharge professionally. It is a chance to be part of a wider paediatric community committed to excellence, compassionate care, and lifelong learning.

We invite you to join us in July 2026 for what promises to be an enriching and energising event. Whether you attend each year or are joining us for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you to a conference that is practical, stimulating, and truly designed to keep you up to speed in paediatrics.

Come and be part of the conversation. Come and learn with colleagues. Come and stay up to speed.