Last minute talks to prevent a day of strike action across the health service could take place as early as the start of next week.
The current Secretary of State Julian Smith has indicated, should he still be in post, he would be prepared to take the issue of health workers pay to the cabinet table bringing a revised deal back to the unions early next week.
On Tuesday it was announced that paramedics will join the 24 hour strike action planned for next Wednesday, December 18.
The Royal College of Nursing has issued a list of services that will be exempt from next week's planned strike action by health unions.
They include chemotherapy inpatient and outpatient services, units providing palliative care, psychiatric intensive care units and intensive care units.
Emergency Departments will not be exempt but life saving cover will be provided, the RCN added.
The RCN's programme of industrial action began at the start of the December.
It is the first time in the union's 103-history that members voted to take such action.
Action by all NIPSA members in the health service and related arm's length bodies will commence at 12.01am on Wednesday and conclude at one minute before midnight on Thursday.
Action short of strike action by all NIPSA members will include, only working normal paid hours with no unpaid work or covering vacant posts.
This union said the action is necessary because the Department of Health and the Government have failed to sufficiently address NIPSA's claims for pay justice and safe staffing.
NIPSA, Unison, Unite and RCN will all be on strike this Wednesday.
Deputy General Secretary of NIPSA Padraig Mullholland said the strike will be "hard-hitting but our members have no choice but to defend our National Health Service".
