In the 1880s conditions were improved at the instigation of Dr John Milson Rhodes one of the board members: the removal of the children to Styal Cottage Homes was one of his reforms.

[2] The frontage of 1854–55 is showy and the chapel is Italianate in style: behind were the seven pavilions of the hospital of 1864–66 with many later buildings all over the site.

[5] In the later years all the old buildings were taken over by the hospital and a new smaller workhouse was built on the opposite side of Nell Lane: this closed in 1928.

When this occurred, the trust operating the then defunct hospital relocated units across the city.

It was confirmed this action was a result of the economic downturn affecting potential buyers.