Busy Hobart hospital delays some surgery

The Royal Hobart Hospital will delay some elective surgery cases over the Easter long weekend amid fears its emergency department will run out of beds.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the hospital's services director Craig Watson said that "where clinically appropriate" the cases have been rescheduled on a priority basis.

"This is in response to an increase in emergency department presentations in recent days and helps ensure beds are available for patients needing urgent treatment now and over the Easter period," he said.