The issue of risk management and medical indemnity was raised at yesterday's meeting between unions and executives at the Launceston General Hospital.

Department acting secretary Greg Johannes has sought details from hospitals of their risk management strategies ahead of bed closures and surgery cuts this financial year.

"Risk management strategies have been an integral part of planning our savings strategies and risk will continue to be monitored and managed actively," he said.

The Health and Community Services Union said that the 11th- hour request was concerning.

"We would have thought these strategies would have been put in place before any cuts were announced," assistant secretary Tim Jacobson said.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Neroli Ellis said that nurses were particularly worried about how to manage emergency presentations with fewer beds.

The LGH will close its medical ward 4D at the end of this year, with 20 surgical beds and two operating theatres to follow.

Director of surgery Berni Einoder said that while most patients were aware of the budget situation, medical staff wanted guaranteed protection from legal action if a patient believed they had waited too long for surgery.

"There is a risk people will get angry and instead of getting angry with the government they will get angry with doctors and nurses," he said.

Mr Johannes said that the savings strategies did not introduce any unusual indemnity issues for medical staff employed by the department.

"As such, all medical indemnity currently in place continues to apply," he said.