A holiday display at London Health Sciences Centre featuring an elf in restraints has been taken down following complaints from the public.

The display, which was posted on a door on the seventh floor in D tower, included an elf with its wrists tied to wrapping paper tubes.

It originally included the caption "4 Point restraints for Santa's Snitch." The caption was later changed to read, "Milk & Cookies for Santa's Snitch."

A picture of the original display was shared on Twitter by a visitor to the hospital on Sunday.

The decorations have since been removed entirely, according to a statement from LHSC executive vice president Carol Young-Ritchie.

In a photo taken later Sunday evening by the same Twitter user, the caption on the decorations was altered to remove the reference to restraints. LHSC says the display has been completely taken down as of Monday morning. (Supplied)

"The decorated door was part of what was meant to be a fun, holiday-themed contest for staff at London Health Sciences Centre; however, one of the doors fell short on this commitment," Young-Ritchie said in an email.

"We are extremely sorry for the insensitive and offensive message conveyed and can confirm the decorations were removed first thing [Monday] morning."

The hospital declined a request for an interview.