Shire of Katanning president Liz Guidera to bring leadership experience to Rural Health West board

Shire of Katanning president Liz Guidera is set to bring her local government experience and insight into addressing rural medical workforce shortages to the board of Rural Health West.

Cr Guidera was announced as one of two new appointments to the board earlier this month, alongside Pilbara physiotherapist and entrepreneur David Rigby.

Rural Health West is a not-for-profit organisation, funded through the WA Country Health Service and the Australian Department of Health.

It aims to improve access to healthcare for rural communities by helping to provide a strong medical and allied health workforce.

Cr Guidera will take on the role of country local government authority representative as part of an expansion of the board.

She is no stranger to the challenges of recruiting and retaining medical staff in rural communities, having advocated for her town over the past five years as Katanning has battled an ongoing GP shortage in her role as Shire president.

Cr Guidera was also an inaugural reference group member and former chair of the Rural Remote and Regional Women’s Network of WA.

“Through my role as president of the Shire of Katanning, I’ve become very familiar with the challenges of recruiting and retaining health professionals in rural communities,” she said.

“Maintaining a stable medical workforce in Katanning has been a key focus for the community over the past few years.

“I have learnt a great deal in this time and hope to put my experience to use as a member of the Rural Health West board.”