Do you have an innovation or solution that is working well in one place and could make a difference elsewhere?
The Spread & Scale Academy is now accepting applications for its next cohort. This is your chance to take something that already works and give it the reach it deserves. This is the sixth year of the Academy as part of the All-Wales Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care, and they have just published a report capturing the remarkable impact teams have gone on to have.
What is it?
A three-day, immersive learning experience delivered by the Dragon's Heart Institute, taking place from 12 to 14 October 2026 at St David's Hotel, Cardiff Bay. It is a springboard for change and you will leave with expert support, practical tools, and a clear 90-day sprint plan to kickstart your scaling journey.
Who can apply?
Anyone. There is no minimum grade or prior experience required. You just need:
- A team of 3 to 6 people
- A solution or innovation that has been shown to work in at least one place
What does it cost?
Free for NHS Wales colleagues or £1,500 per person. Fees for Wales-based NHS and publicly funded social care teams are covered in full by Welsh Government Intensive Learning Academy Funding.
Why apply?
The results speak for themselves. Since 2021, Spread & Scale teams have delivered a reported £8.7 million in savings, prevented 11.1 million kg of CO₂e, released 1,477 hospital bed days, and improved care for more than 10,000 patients across Wales. These are real projects led by teams like yours, from the Nitrous Oxide Cracker to the Optimise patient flow programme and Bridging Contraception in community pharmacy. You can read the full story in our new impact report: click here to read the DHI Impact Report 2021 to 2025.
Your learning does not stop when the Academy ends either. You will join their growing Community of Practice, a peer network of more than 340 alumni offering ongoing coaching, fresh thinking and expert advice.
Consultant Therapist Paul Twose put it simply: "I'm convinced that if we hadn't attended the Spread and Scale Academy, it would have taken me my whole career to get where I am now. Instead it has only taken a couple of years."
Apply now
Applications close on 14 August 2026. Click here to submit your application.
Got a big idea that deserves a bigger impact? This is your moment. Let's unleash it.
