Give to gain: In conversation with our Health Equity Lead

This International Women’s Day, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity are proud to spotlight our funding towards a dedicated Health Equity Lead across our hospitals- and the woman helping to drive this important work forwards.

The theme this year is ‘Give to gain’. It reflects the idea that when we invest in women, opportunity and knowledge, the benefits extend beyond the original act of giving. Through our funding of this role, we are supporting work that aims to reduce inequalities in healthcare and improve outcomes for patients across our communities.

We recently caught up with Dr Banke Davies, consultant and Health Equity Lead, to learn more about her and the role.

“As soon as I saw the role advertised, I felt drawn to it because it aligned strong with what I care about,” she explains. “In my role as a sexual health and HIV medicine physician, I regularly see the impact of inequitable access to healthcare. Some patients face significant barriers, and too often their experiences and outcomes are poorer as a result.”

One of the most common misconceptions about health inequalities., she explains, is the assumption that everyone has the same access to healthcare within the NHS.

“Unfortunately, that is not the reality. There are differences in the care people receive and the opportunities they have to lead healthy lives, both of which influence health outcomes.”

Barriers can take many forms including physical or learning disabilities, language barriers, caring responsibilities, cultural differences or socioeconomic challenges. These factors can shape both a patient’s access to services and their experience of care.

“Equity isn’t about identical care; it’s about fair care.”

Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity are proud to fund this role to help ensure that tackling health inequalities is given dedicated focus.

“Having a funded Health Equity Lead sends a clear message that tackling inequity is a priority,” she says. “It allows time to measure unequal outcomes, understand patient experiences and support staff to recognise where improvements can be made.”

 As we mark International Women’s Day, Dr Banke Davies also highlights the important of recognising the gender health gap in the UK, where women continue to face disparities in diagnosis, research representation and health outcomes.

Her message to women working across our hospitals is simple: “Your contribution matters. Seek out mentorship, support one another and don’t underestimate the impact of your influence.”