The New Hospital

In March 1868 the workhouse building committee met with the architect Mr. Blackmoor of Westgate with the proposed enlargement of the infirmary, which had only, been a room set aside within the workhouse until now. Mr. Blackmoor was paid the some of £77 16s 10d for his work however for some reason his bill wasn't paid until three years later. In 1868 there were a total of 211 people in the workhouse of which 140 were old and infirm, 11 able bodied women and 60 children.

In 1869 the land adjoining the workhouse was purchased at a cost of £1,127.5s 6d. A number of tenders were received and Mr. Joseph Harper a builder of Rotherham's tender was accepted. The total cost of the hospital cost £4098. Mr Blackmoor was also employed to oversee that the work carried out was according to the plans and specifications.

By April 1871 the hospital was completed so Mr. Blackmoor and Lord Fitzwilliam the chairman of the board of guardians went to inspect the work. Visiting the hospital they were met with two large black iron rail gates, which towed 5 feet 3 inches high. The impressive two storey Victorian building consisted of  male and female dayroom with water closets as well as a nurse room and ward scullery on the first floor. The male and female wards where defied by the occasional ward on the second floor. They reported that the floors were not laid level in the male ward and a number of doors were warped but it was ready to receive its first patient.

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© Neil and Janet Croft 2005