Doctors in Northern Ireland are on strike today over pensions.
The 24-hour protest is being staged by members of the British Medical Association and is part of a UK-wide strike action.
Thousands of people will be affected by the strike, as all routine GP appointments and non-urgent hospital out-patients appointments will be cancelled.
The BMA said the strike will not impact on patient safety, as everything that is deemed urgent or life-threatening will not be affected.
All emergency departments across Northern Ireland will remain open.
British Health Secretary Andrew Lansley had pleaded with doctors not to take part in the day of action.
Mr Lansley urged doctors not to participate in the "pointless" strike, warning them it will achieve nothing.
The BMA said its members did not want to participate in the day of action, but felt that there was "no other option left" to make their voices heard.
The association has over 100,000 members.
