A majority of doctors have voted in favour of taking industrial action over changes to their pensions.
The British Medical Association balloted more than 104,000 medics across the UK on the government's plans which it claims are unfair.
Half responded, with 79% of GPs, 84% of hospital consultants and 92% of junior doctors voting in favour.
A 24-hour day of action will take place on 21 June when non-urgent care will be targeted.
It means elective operations such as knee and hip replacements will be cancelled.
GP practices will remain open, but routine appointments will not take place.
However, emergency care will not be affected, the BMA said.
Patients will still get tests for conditions such as cancer, while A&E units and maternity services will run as normal.
It will be the first time since 1975 that doctors have taken industrial action.
Unions representing a host of health professionals, including paramedics, admin staff and porters, have already taken part in strikes over pension changes.
But the Royal College of Nursing, one of the most influential voices inside the NHS alongside the BMA, has yet to decide what it will do.
It has held a ballot where the majority rejected the government's pension changes, but the turnout was low.
Under the plans, which apply to England and Wales but could be introduced elsewhere in the UK, the age at which doctors retire would rise from 65 to 68 by 2015.
The contributions doctors have to make are also due to rise.
The union has also pointed out that the current scheme - which was only agreed as recently as 2008 - brings in a £2bn a year surplus.
The Department of Health has said the changes are "proportionate and reasonable".
It said a new doctor joining the new scheme could still expect a pension of more than £53,000.
Dean Royles, director of NHS Employers, said: "We know that doctors are anxious about changes to their pensions. But no one wants to see patients dragged into the argument.
"Industrial action could potentially mean delays to treatment. It would be particularly distressing for patients and extremely worrying for staff who are dedicated to putting patients first."
The BMA has produced a website that calculates how doctors are affected by the changes.
source: bbc.co.uk
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