Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said yesterday the federal government would require much closer oversight of the state government's management of the health system.

``This withdrawal of effort in elective surgery is very bad for the people of Tasmania,'' she said.

Denison independent MHR Andrew Wilkie yesterday again called for a federal takeover of public hospitals, saying such a takeover was inevitable and that Tasmania was the best place to trial the reform.

But Ms Plibersek said the federal government was not contemplating a takeover of the hospital system in Tasmania or any other state or territory.

Instead, she talked of looking at ways - including providing extra funding - of improving hospitals.

``What we will do is make our investments under close scrutiny in areas like the Royal Hobart Hospital . . . the Mersey Community Hospital, extra funding through the national partnership agreement to improve public hospitals in Tasmania, including extra funding into emergency departments, into elective surgery, into sub-acute beds, into more radiation oncology services, more GP superclinics, better surgical services and so on,'' she said.

The state government announced a reduction in elective surgery last year as part of its budget savings strategy.

A spokesman for state Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne said the government was pleased Ms Plibersek was taking a serious interest.

``It is important that Ms Plibersek and her federal colleagues have a firm understanding of the challenges . . . and the steps the state government is taking to ensure that system stays strong and sustainable,'' he said.