Health is often described as the poisoned chalice because it is an area that is constantly running on empty, despite attempts to stem the flow of funding gaps.

You can never throw enough money at the health system, it is a moving feast that will swallow up anything and everything that comes its way. However, the puzzle is complex - it is tangled at all levels of the health system, from bulk billing to GP access and all the way up to the hospital system, locums, specialist shortages.

But where all that pressure builds to the point of explosion is at the emergency department. When sick people either can't afford or can't access a GP in their area, the most logical place they turn is the ED - where they know, despite most likely having to wait, they will be seen.

Our emergency departments are staffed by some of the most generous and selfless people, who do their best to see everyone who presents. However, the sheer number of people presenting to the ED is growing, as reflected in a Productivity Commission report released this week.

The number of presentations grew from 143,860 in 2016-17 to 149,273 last financial year. The report showed waiting times had been more effective in the ED and Health Minister Sarah Courtney said it was a result of an increase in all staff categories within the state's public hospitals.

While staff increases will surely help solve some of the issues, it is not as simple as that to untangle the complex web of our health system. Structural changes will need to be made to ensure access for all people can be managed financially responsibly.

With the new Premier Peter Gutwein officially sworn in, along with his new Cabinet, it could be an opportunity for a "new look" government to communicate its health policies clearly and find positive and active solutions to tackle what is an emotive issue for many Tasmanians.

While the health system will never truly be "fixed" because there will always be new challenges, an opportunity for action awaits.