In an inspiring push towards a greener future, the Dragon’s Heart Institute successfully launched the inaugural Climate Emergency Spread & Scale Academy. This ground-breaking event, which took place in Cardiff in November, was specifically commissioned and funded by the Welsh Government’s Health and Social Care Climate Emergency National Programme to bring together an impressive selection of innovative teams dedicated to advancing sustainability within NHS Wales.
The Academy featured 16 dynamic project teams, including many shortlisted for the prestigious NHS Wales Sustainability Awards earlier this year. These teams are at the forefront of efforts to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of NHS Wales, acknowledging the significant environmental impact the healthcare sector currently holds.
Ruth Jordan, Spread & Scale Programme Director at the Dragon’s Heart Institute, said, “On behalf of the Dragon’s Heart Institute, I extend our deepest gratitude to the Welsh Government for placing their confidence in our methodology for spread and scale. This approach is essential in addressing significant societal challenges, as it enables us to amplify successful initiatives and work collaboratively towards sustainable solutions. It’s through this collective effort that we can tackle issues that are difficult to solve on our own.”
Throughout the event, participating teams were taught The Model for Unleashing, a novel methodology for spread and scale. They developed strategies aimed at practical solutions to decrease carbon emissions across various aspects of the healthcare system and identified potential co-benefits such as financial savings. Projects ranged from energy efficiency improvements in hospital operations to sustainable waste management and innovative supply chain practices.
One of the delegates commented on the collaborative atmosphere and the valuable exchange of ideas during the Academy, “I used to believe large-scale climate action was impossible and overwhelming, but now I am inspired and optimistic. I understand that with collaboration, motivation, and the right knowledge and skills, we can achieve transformative change for a more sustainable future.”
The Climate Emergency Spread & Scale Academy highlighted the benefits of close working between government policy and grassroots innovation. By equipping teams with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively spread and scale their projects, the Academy has provided key support to enabling contributions to NHS Wales’s sustainability goals.
As the event concluded, the resounding message was clear: collective action and creative solutions are essential in tackling the pressing global challenge of climate change and can enable NHS Wales to drive forward sustainable healthcare practices and set an example for health systems worldwide.
The next Spread & Scale Academy is taking place in Cardiff in February 2025 and applications are open until the 19th December 2024. Learn more and apply here.
Alternatively, if you’d like to discuss the possibility of running a topic-specific Spread & Scale Academy with the Dragon’s Heart Institute, please get in touch!
