The function of the institution changed throughout its existence: it originally cared for those with epilepsy, before housing people with intellectual disability, and from 1937 treating those with mental disorders.

[3][4][5][6] The facility contained six 50-bed brick villas; official, administrative and laundry blocks; housing for staff;[2] and a hall with various workrooms that accommodated 320 people[7] (the functions of the hospital buildings and rooms would change over the years).

[10] As well as housing civilians, Stoneyetts received convicts who had been deemed mentally "defective"; Glasgow Govan MP Neil Maclean disapproved of "young lads, guilty merely of a little horse-play or a boyish escapade" being held at the institution.

[11] The facility faced problems with overcrowding: arrangements were made with Falkirk Parish Council for patients to be cared for at Blinkbonny Home,[12] and the remaining residents were transferred to the new Lennox Castle Hospital by December 1936.

[13] With the inception of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, Stoneyetts was linked with Woodilee and Gartloch hospitals under a single board of management.

[22] Hospital workers feared that Stoneyetts was being intentionally run down to justify its termination;[23] the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) had produced a catalogue of complaints against the institution in 1986, citing cockroach and mould infestation, dilapidated surroundings, and staff shortages.

[25] Despite union opposition, as well as public outcry[4] and protesting by workers,[26] Scottish Health Minister, Michael Forsyth, announced his approval of the closure plans on 24 October 1991.

COHSE official Jim Devine described Forsyth's ruling as "an affront to democracy", while Tom Clarke called it a "ruthless decision made on commercial not caring grounds".

[28] NHS Greater Glasgow retained ownership of the land and allowed local players to continue funding the institution's bowling venue after the main buildings were demolished.

[31][32] In October 2001, the Stoneyetts area again became the cause of public unrest when the Scottish Prison Service expressed interest in purchasing the former hospital grounds to build a jail there.

[29] Several elements of the hospital site remained into the 2010s, such as a tree outline of the grounds, largely overgrown roads, unpowered street lighting, a disused football pitch, and building remnants including an accessible basement.

[29] Persimmon gained clearance from North Lanarkshire Council in November 2018,[36] while Miller received permission in February 2019 and commenced work the following year.