Imagine you’re at a concert, and everyone is given the same-sized stool to stand on for a better view. Sounds fair, right? That’s equality; everyone gets the same thing. But what if some people are taller while others are shorter? The shorter folks might still struggle to see, even with the stool.

Equity, on the other hand, recognises those differences and gives each person the stool height they need to see the stage equally well.

This distinction is crucial in healthcare. Equality would mean giving every patient the same resources, but equity ensures that care is tailored to individual needs.

A female surgeon may face referral biases that her male counterparts do not. Addressing this isn’t about giving special treatment; it’s about levelling the playing field so that skill, not gender, determines opportunities.

True fairness isn’t about treating everyone identically; it’s about giving everyone a fair shot at success.