Kalle Conneryd Joins Government's Health Efficiency Delegation as Sole Physician

The Swedish government established the Health Efficiency Delegation last year with the aim of optimizing the utilization of resources within the healthcare sector. This delegation, chaired by Clas Rehnberg, a health economics professor at Karolinska Institute, comprises a group of economists including Jonathan Siverskog from Linköping University, Niclas Johansson, and Lena Furmark, welfare responsible at the Swedish Enterprise.

Recently, it was announced that Kalle Conneryd, the CEO of Kry, will be joining this delegation, as reported by Dagens Medicin. Rehnberg noted the challenges in finding physicians willing to participate in this initiative. Conneryd emphasized that the focus of the delegation should not be on medical issues, but rather on understanding how healthcare is delivered. He acknowledged the significance of the expertise brought by other members of the group.

Conneryd, who has a medical background and previously served as operational director at Karolinska University Hospital until 2021, took over as CEO of Kry in December 2024.

The Health Efficiency Delegation was formed in December 2024 and is operating under the oversight of the Kammarkollegiet. Its mandate is to encourage more efficient functioning within healthcare services. The delegation has access to a temporary government grant of 250 million Swedish Krona annually until 2030, totaling 1.5 billion Krona. Regions can apply for these funds by submitting proposals aimed at enhancing the efficiency of operations and administration. This initiative responds to significant budget cuts faced by regions in 2024, driven by inflation and rising pension costs, leading to the highest level of layoffs in regional and municipal sectors since the 1990s.

Conneryd expressed confidence in the potential for increased efficiency, stating that there is always room for improvement, and that specific opportunities will be identified through the proposals submitted by the regions.

Recently, Kry has faced scrutiny and allegations of misconduct, including a police report filed by Region Kalmar over double invoicing. In response to accusations of overbilling from Region Skåne, Conneryd has been vocal on LinkedIn, defending his team against claims of fraudulent practices. Region Skåne recently terminated a contract for a midwifery clinic in Malmö, demanding a reimbursement of 19 million Krona following a review.

Regarding the ongoing relationship with Region Skåne, Conneryd remains optimistic, hoping to maintain a constructive dialogue to resolve the issues at hand.

The Health Efficiency Delegation, initiated by the government in December 2024, is tasked with improving the effectiveness of healthcare services. It allows regional authorities to apply for financial support through Kammarkollegiet. The delegation is chaired by Clas Rehnberg and includes members such as Lena Furmark, Jonathan Siverskog, Niclas Johansson, Peter Alvinsson, and Kalle Conneryd.