Health workers who provide key services including the care packages that allow people to be discharged from hospital are to ballot for strike action.
Union NIPSA announced on Monday their members are to vote on action up to and including strike as the row over public sector pay and workload escalates.
NIPSA Official Terry Thomas told Belfast Live their members, including those in domiciliary care and social work, are facing mounting pressure as people leave the profession and are not replaced leaving some teams “up to 50% under-strength”.