- Written by Rebecca Logan
- BBC NI News
The Ministry of Health said the strike would cause serious disruption to already strained health services.
The Ministry of Health said a large-scale strike involving nurses, midwives and health workers would cause unprecedented disruption.
This is said to be the largest strike in Northern Ireland’s history.
The ministry said it was very concerned about the impact on services.
He added that the health system is “already under sustained and very severe pressure”.
All health and social care, including hospitals, community care and ambulances, will be affected, with some services completely suspended.
The ministry urges people to be careful
Proper access to services is appealing to the public, ensuring that those most in need receive care.
It also urges the public to take all prudent steps to reduce the chance of needing treatment by health services on the same day.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the dispute could be resolved “quickly” if power-sharing returned to Stormont.
In a statement, the ministry said it was well aware of the “deep frustration” of medical staff over the continued lack of salary offers for this year.
“With the current health budget for 2023/24, it is not yet possible for the department to offer salaries for HSC (health and social care) staff.
“The situation is neither sustainable nor defensible and cannot continue indefinitely.”
Which trade unions are on strike?
A total of 15 trade unions have announced that they will take action on January 18th.
- British Dietetic Association (BDA)
- Society of Certified Physical Therapists (CSP)
- Irish National Teachers Organization (INTO)
- Society of Radiological Technologists (SoR)
- National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)
- National Association of School Teachers and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
- National Education Union (NEU)
- Royal College of Midwives (RCM)
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
- Ulster Teachers’ Union (UTU)
These unions have approximately 173,000 workers, but not all of them will go on strike.