Fire safety concerns have forced Louth Hospital to reduce the number of beds on some of its wards.
Both Manby and Carlton wards have fewer beds following a fire safety inspection.
Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust say because of the ageing fabric of the building they need to carry out some remedial work.
They have reduced the number of beds on the two wards from 50 to 16.
The trust says some patients have been transferred to other community hospitals and care providers and extra staff have been brought in on the two wards to ensure any potential risk can be mitigated.
Lisa Green, director of nursing and operations at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, said: “Following a scheduled fire safety inspection at County Hospital, Louth, we have been made aware that, due to the aging fabric of the building, some remedial works will be required.
“In light of the duty of care we have to our patients and staff, we have temporarily reduced the number of beds available on both Manby and Carlton wards and increased the number of staff to ensure any potential risk can be mitigated.
“Where appropriate, some patients have been transferred to other community hospitals and care providers.
“It is anticipated the reduced number of beds will continue until later this week when a further safety review is being undertaken with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and NHS Property Services, which owns the hospital building.
“At this point, we will be able to make a further decision about bed availability based on expert guidance from the fire service. We would like to reassure that this is a precautionary measure to allow us to proactively manage the safety of those in our care.”