The Jewish General Hospital in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges borough is beginning a push to reduce the number of patients it treats.

The Quebec government has told the hospital it is seeing too many patients and must begin sending them to smaller facilities closer to their home.

Glenn Nashen, spokesperson for the hospital, said it's a question of safety.

"Can the Jewish General see every single patient on the island of Montreal safely? Certainly not."

Nashen said the hospital will not turn away patients but doctors will suggest they seek services available elsewhere.

Ultimately, it is the patient's choice to select the health centre where they want to be treated.