PurposeThe objective of this study aims to investigate the manner in which Human Resource Practices (HRP), leadership, and intellectual capital contribute to organisational agility within the healthcare sector, and to assess how this agility influences overall organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachThis research was undertaken within healthcare organisations situated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study sample comprised of 275 participants, and the distribution of the sample across various classifications closely mirrored that of the larger population. To assess the formulated hypotheses, the research utilized Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) software.FindingsResults confirmed the proposed framework and uncovered the significance of HRP, leadership and intellectual capital on organisational agility and organisational performance in a dynamic environment like hospitals.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates originality by investigating hospital responsiveness within a highly dynamic context necessitating agility from both managerial and non-technical perspectives. Additionally, it explores the impact of HRP, leadership, and intellectual capital on organisational agility, along with its repercussions for overall organisational performance.