Humza Yousaf has admitted it could take five years for the NHS in Scotland to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The SNP health secretary spoke candidly today about the huge pressures facing the country's hospitals ahead of a challenging winter period.
Appearing on the Sunday Show on BBC Scotland, Yousaf was asked if the problems facing the health service were too big to be fixed.
He said: "I don't take a fatalistic view on that. The recovery is happening and it will take time - it will take years. I've got to be up front.
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