Health chiefs in Northern Ireland are holding an emergency meeting later over winter-related pressure on the health service.
In similar fashion to what has been happening in the Republic of Ireland, front line staff in the north are dealing with a spike in flu case, and other respiratory illnesses during the cold snap.
Hospital emergency departments have also been particularly busy.
Jemma Dolan is the Employment and Workers Rights Spokesperson for Sinn Féin in the Assembly and MLA for Fermanagh-South Tyrone.
She is calling for every possible supports to be afforded to both patients and frontline staff.
