Army personnel at Finner Camp in Co Donegal had to be deployed last night to bring staff to Sligo General Hospital. It was necessary as many nurses were unable to turn up for work.
A spokeswoman said nurses living locally who were on leave had agreed to come in. Others were given overnight accommodation.
"The situation is very difficult, but people are very good and are working extra hours and coming in on their days off," the spokeswoman said.
Much of the north-west was at a standstill for the third day as people heeded warnings to travel only if absolutely necessary. Snow falls were lighter than in previous days. However, conditions deteriorated after dusk as temperatures dropped and some places experienced freezing fog.
Carrickfinn Airport in Co Donegal was closed, and flights from Sligo Airport were again cancelled because of ice and snow on the runway. All bus services in the region were also cancelled. Banks throughout Cos Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal closed early and refuse collection services were cancelled.
The North Western Health Board issued an appeal for people to check on elderly neighbours.
The fire brigade in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, was called out after the Leitrim Animal Welfare group was told of two swans which were trapped in the frozen waters of a nearby lake. Members of the brigade spent hours breaking ice, and the birds were eventually able to fly away.
Gardai in Donegal said that while the main roads were passable, back roads were in bad condition. In mountainous areas of north-west Donegal sheep farmers were unable to get out to feed their flocks and feared they would lose animals. Freezing fog was the main problem around Donegal town yesterday evening, and gardai were warning that driving conditions would get worse overnight.
The N4 from Sligo to Dublin remained passable.
Many country roads around Leitrim were barely passable, and gardai warned people to stay at home if possible. "There is packed snow on all these roads, and it's all right if you have the road to yourself. It's when you meet other cars that the problems start," said a Garda spokesman.
The funeral took place yesterday of 92-year-old Ms Sarah Gallagher, who froze to death outside her home near Annagry on Tuesday night.