Scotland's new Health Secretary has insisted Humza Yousaf did a good job in the role despite patients facing record waiting times.
Michael Matheson, who took on responsibility for the NHS last week, also vowed to press ahead with plans to create a National Care Service to end what he called "inconsistency" in provision.
Yousaf stood down as health secretary after he was chosen by SNP members to succeed Nicola Sturgeon in the top job in Scottish politics.
But his time in charge of hospitals was repeatedly attacked by opposition parties as they struggled to deal with aftermath of the covid pandemic.
Matheson was making his first ministerial visit as Health Secretary today when he spoke with staff at the new Clydebank Health and Care Centre.
Asked if he thought Yousaf did a good job as health secretary, the Falkirk West MSP said: "Yes, I do.
"But it's important that we don't try to disguise the fact our NHS is going through a hugely challenging time. The pandemic has had a massive impact on the performance of our NHS and that's the case right across the UK.
"You can see it on the performance of health care systems across the world.
"It has been a really difficult and challenging period and we're seeing the recovery - and what I want to do is see that recovery is sustained and managed going forward."
Matheson also said he "absolutely clear" about the need to create a National Care Service despite unions and local authorities warning against it.
Legislation is due to be published this summer but it remains unclear how centralising care services will work in practice.
"I've heard the concerns and I'll continue to listen to them closely," the Health Secretary said.
"But one of the things that became very clear during the course of the pandemic was the inconsistency in the way social care services were being provided across the country, and the challenges that then created in how we responded.
"The National Care Service gives us the opportunity to deliver greater consistency of care and improve the quality of care.
"I want to see that happen - but I will of course also listen to concerns being raised.
"But I am absolutely clear about the need for a National Care Service in Scotland."
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