Australian Nursing Federation Tasmanian secretary Neroli Ellis said that she feared ward space where the beds came from was already being developed for other uses so that the possibility of the area being reopened for patient beds was slim.

An LGH spokeswoman confirmed earlier this week that the 45 beds from three wards closed in December last year as part of the hospital's cost-cutting measures were being stored at the old Coats Patons building at South Launceston.

The hospital had opted to pay for safe, secure storage with a commercial enterprise because there was nowhere on-site for them, the spokeswoman said.

The beds, which could cost between $10,000 and $22,000 each depending on their range of functions, needed to be stored in a clean, secure environment, she said.

Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne refused to comment on whether storing the beds off-site was appropriate.

"Management and staff have been very conscious of the need to make the best use of any possible opportunities created by their savings strategies," she said.

"Making the best use of space for the benefit of patients particularly at a time of significant capital development is an operational matter for the LGH."

The beds come from medical and surgical wards 4D, 5A and 5B, closed to meet budget demands.

LGH chief executive John Kirwan said before last Christmas that the budget savings he had been asked to make in the North were unprecedented.

LGH staff were told that the beds had to be removed and locked away so that they couldn't be used.