The Regina General Hospital has cancelled a number of elective surgeries and procedures scheduled for Thursday and Friday, in an effort to deal with overcrowding.

"In order to ensure we are not adding to these pressures, we are cancelling some elective surgeries for the rest of the week," said Michael Redenbach, chief operating officer of health services for Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, in a media release.

Redenbach added that this would, "Enable us to better care for trauma and emergency room patients, and those in-patients already in the hospital."

A total of nine elective surgeries and 12 endoscopies will be cancelled.

Patients are being notified by phone if their appointment is affected.

Redenbach said levels of capacity would be evaluated on Friday to determine whether elective surgeries and procedures will be cancelled next week.

The health region said people who are in need of emergency care should still go to one of Regina's hospitals, but should keep in mind that patients will be seen in order of need. Officials said non-urgent cases should expect long delays.

No surgeries have been affected at Regina's Pasqua Hospital.