Security officers at several Sydney hospitals are fighting plans that would force them to wear a suit, which they say is "inappropriate and restrictive".

Seventeen guards at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital have unanimously voted against Sydney Local Health District's (SLHD) plans to roll out new security uniforms, saying they need functional clothing to do their jobs, which often involve restraining violent patients and visitors.

Old and the new: Security guards at RPA, Canterbury, Concord and Balmain and Sydney Dental hospitals do not want to wear suits on the job. Credit:Sam Hubel, Sydney Local Health District

"The suits are inappropriate and restrictive and it's not like an ice addict is going to wait for you, like you can say: 'Hold on a minute, let me take off my suit jacket so I can restrain you,' " said Ron Pike, a Health Services Union organiser who has worked as an RPA security officer for seven years.

SLHD's chief executive Teresa Anderson said the new uniforms were part of a bigger strategy to create a safe and secure environment for patients.