Nova Scotia's largest health authority is eliminating more than 30 positions in its operating rooms to save money.

Capital Health says it expects to save $2 million by getting rid of 34 full-time positions in perioperative services, and no layoffs are planned.

"Improving patient flow and efficiencies is a proactive move that allows our team to reduce costs and maintain surgery volumes," spokesman John Gillis said in an email to CBC News.

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union says nurses, clerical workers and patient attendants will not be replaced.

The move comes after Carpedia International was awarded an $800,000 contract to look for efficiencies in the district's operating rooms.

As the demand for surgeries grows, costs climb too. Capital Health performed 503 more operations in 2010-11, which was the last fiscal year.

The provincial government is cutting $32 million from Capital Health's budget as it tries to control rising health costs.