Nurses told not to wear colourful scrubs at Hobart hospital

A union leader says the scrubs "inject a bit of life and colour into sometimes a very difficult working environment". (ABC News: Lucas Hill)

Nurses at the Royal Hobart Hospital have been told they should stop wearing fun scrubs or "free dress" and reminded they need to maintain "some professionalism" regarding their uniform.

The matter was raised during a budget estimates committee hearing on Monday, with an independent MP questioning why a morale-boosting activity is being discouraged.

Tasmania's health minister says: "If any directive has been issued, I have made it clear this should be rescinded".

Tasmania's health minister has vowed to overturn a directive to stop nurses from wearing colourful scrubs at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

At least two directives have been issued to nurses over the past month, instructing them to wear the hospital-provided uniform and scrubs, and to stop wearing "free dress".

One of the directives noted that some patients and visitors were having difficulty identifying nursing staff due to differing uniforms, and that nurses needed to maintain "some professionalism".

The directives outlined that there would be one day per week where nurses could wear their own scrubs.

Health groups fear the impact of hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts expected to be found in the Health Department

During budget estimates hearings on Monday, independent Franklin MP David O'Byrne raised the issue with Health Minister Bridget Archer.

"Obviously, it is a bit of a tough time in the hospitals at the minute, and staff morale is a key issue and is very important," Mr O'Byrne said.

"Surely given morale — and there has been a whole range of work done over many years on nursing uniforms — colourful scrubs provide a bit of highlight to the day in a pretty tough environment."

In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Archer said: "We support staff continuing to wear colourful scrubs and if any directive has been issued, I have made it clear this should be rescinded."

Australian Midwifery and Nursing Federation Tasmanian branch secretary Emily Shepherd said the corporate-style nurses' uniforms provided by the hospital were not conducive to their work, such as supporting patient mobility, providing care to patients at different heights, or hygiene care.

Ms Shepherd said that the hospital-provided scrubs were not ideal, as the fabric was not as breathable as other options.

"Meaning that our members do get quite hot and uncomfortable at times," she said.

Ms Shepherd said nurses started wearing their own scrubs, which included colourful, "fun" scrubs, t