00:00We've got a country with a growing ageing population.
00:03There are lots of big health challenges out there.
00:05And it's my job to make sure that as well as cutting NHS waiting lists for the people that are
00:12already on there,
00:13that we're also making sure that we're meeting what are going to be rising levels of demand over many years.
00:18That's why it's so important that last year we actually broke records for the numbers of procedures,
00:24the treatments, the operations that people are receiving.
00:2618.4 million last year.
00:28That's really important.
00:30We've got to keep that progress up because as well as getting people off the waiting list already there,
00:34I also want new people coming on to get the fast, effective, safe treatment they deserve.
00:39So, yes, it's one of those many spinning plates I've got in the NHS at the moment.
00:42And for all the success we've got, there are big challenges too.
00:46So I don't want anyone to think that off the back of the really good progress we're seeing,
00:50that I or this government are in any way cocky or complacent.
00:54Lots done. So much more to do.
00:56But I hope people can take some hope and confidence from the fact the NHS is finally on the road
01:02to recovery.
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