Fir Vale Workhouse

Many people visiting, or working in the hospital today, have little knowledge of its humble beginnings. The Northern General Hospital, Sheffield began life over 130 years ago and has a fascinating history having started life as the Fir Vale Workhouse in the days prior to free medical care for all. The Workhouse also included the Smilter Lane/Herries Rd Headquarters and Scattered Children's Homes.

Over the years many changes have taken place in all our hospitals. Even as late as 1967 when the two hospitals that had originated from the Workhouse, the Fir Vale Infirmary and the City General Hospital were renamed the Northern General Hospital, many of the older generation were still afraid of entering its doors. Looking back to the days of the workhouse and all that it entailed it is easy to understand why these fears remained so strongly and so long in people's memories.

On the 31st March, the Sheffield Star carried an article about the change of name and ended with these words:

'The change of name will finally kill the workhouse stigma of Fir Vale that has haunted so many old folk on the brink
of needing permanent hospital care.'

The stigma may have gone now but there are still people alive today who have personal memories, photos and
memorabilia of both Workhouses, Nether Edge Hospital, Fir Vale Infirmary, City General Hospital, the Children's
Homes or any of the other.

Photograph courtesy of Local Studies Library Sheffield

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