We are proud to share the publication of our Dragon’s Heart Institute Impact Report 2021–2025, capturing five years of leadership, learning and large-scale change across health, social care and the wider public sector in Wales and beyond.
The report brings together the story of how the Dragon’s Heart Institute (DHI) was established, how our flagship programmes Climb and Spread & Scale have grown, and the tangible difference they have made for people, teams and systems. It sets out our reach, outcomes and learning, alongside case studies that show how new approaches to leadership, improvement and innovation can combine to deliver meaningful impact at scale, benefitting thousands of people in the process.
Since 2021, we have worked with over a thousand leaders across hundreds of teams, supporting them to tackle complex challenges including quality and safety, health equity, climate sustainability and system flow. The report highlights how DHI has become a key delivery partner for the Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care alongside Swansea University and the Bevan Commission, supporting national priorities through high-quality, evidence-informed leadership development.
Reflecting on the publication, Ruth Jordan, Director of the Dragon’s Heart Institute, said:
“This report tells the story of what becomes possible when we invest in people. Over the last five years, we have seen leaders grow in confidence, capability and courage, and we have seen that translate into real improvements for patients, communities and the system as a whole. I am incredibly proud of the DHI team, our faculty and, most importantly, the leaders who have trusted us with their learning and their ambition for change.”
The report also underlines the importance of partnership, particularly the role of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the national Intensive Learning Academy.
Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Chair of the Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care, said:
“The Dragon’s Heart Institute has become a vital part of Wales’s innovation and leadership ecosystem. This report clearly demonstrates the return on investing in leadership development that is rooted in compassion, systems thinking and real-world impact. The work of DHI aligns strongly with our national ambitions for quality, value and sustainability, and I am delighted to see the scale of impact achieved over the past five years.”
As we look ahead, the report sets out our ambition for the next phase of DHI’s work, continuing to support national priorities through the Intensive Learning Academy, and building new partnerships to extend our reach and sustainability.
We invite colleagues, partners and stakeholders to read the report and reflect on what it shows about the power of leadership, learning and collective effort to shape a healthier, fairer future.
Read the full Dragon’s Heart Institute Impact Report 2021–2025
