The Poor Law Unions of Hertfordshire Hemel Hempstead Union

Old Herts Unions Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead Workhouse was built in 1836 and in 1839 the governor was James Frederick LEEDHAM and by 1850 could accommodate 250 inmates.  It served the parishes of Bovingdon, Flamstead, Flaunden, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley. In 1862 J F LEEDHAM was still the governor, and Mrs Eliza LEEDHAM the mistress. By 1866 George GROOME had become governor and Mrs Ester GROOME mistress.

In 1882 it was described as "a plain but substantial building of brick, with a good frontage & stands of 4 acres of land, part of which is cultivated as kitchen garden. There is space in the main building for 220 inmates. In 1869 a new infirmary was built, containing 40 beds. J. BURNETT, master; Rev W O THOMPSON, MA, chaplain; Russell STEELE, Queen Street, surgeon; Mrs BURNETT, matron."

In 1916 a 24 bed Children's Home was opened.

From various Kelly's Directories

Sometime after the 2nd World War the "Poor Law Institution" became a maternity hospital, which was called St Paul's. Some years ago it was demolished - and part of the site was sold off for housing and an acute mental health 24 bed unit was constructed on the remainder, as what is called Slipper Hill on modern street maps. Shortly before it was to be opened in the mid 1990s it was discovered that it could not be used for the purpose for which it was constructed. It is now the base for the local Community Mental Health Team and an out-of-hours doctor service.

See also The History of Workhouses

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