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The waiting list for hospital treatment will not start falling for two years, ministers say, despite unveiling a plan to tackle England's backlog in care.
There are currently six million people on a waiting list - one in nine of the population.
But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that number was likely to go up because demand is predicted to start rising now Covid pressure is easing.
He also set out plans to reduce waiting times for cancer treatment.
This includes the introduction in March 2024 of a new 28-day target for cancer diagnosis that has been delayed by the pandemic.
He said new diagnostic and surgical centres would be set up in the community, while extra investment - totalling £8bn over the next three years - would help hospitals increase the number of patients they can treat.
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