The hospital was created as a small facility with 12 beds, aimed at providing specialist care for the "...more effective treatment of babies and very young children suffering from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders.

[3] In 1919, the hospital moved to Cringle Hall in Burnage, having previously been in Levenshulme and Chorlton-on-Medlock.

After the building of a new pavilion on the open-air principle with glass wards specially designed for the treatment of rickets in 1925, the number of cots rose to 80.

In June 1935, a new hospital wing with much improved surgical facilities was opened by the Duchess of York.

[4] Until the creation of the National Health Service in 1948, the hospital was supported by the Corporation of Manchester and by voluntary contributions.