Description: The old part of the hospital was built in 1841 and was Bakewell's Workhouse. Workhouses such as this were built following the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 which established a local central body to supervise all administration of welfare relief. These were to replace individual the individual parishes who had previously had to care for its poor, and were grouped into about six hundred large units in the whole country known as 'unions'. Each union was governed by a board of guardians who were elected by the ratepayers. Wages ceased to be paid and the able-bodied were only supported in the workhouse. Entry to the workhouse was means tested, and much loathed by all who needed to seek welfare relief within its walls. It was assumed at the time, that poverty was the fault of those suffering it, who were castigated for idleness and sinfulness (rather than the true causes, such as economic depressions, unemployment, ill health and old age). Conditions were very basic, and inmates were forced to work at dirty, mundane tasks (so as not to encourage their idleness!) The Boards of Guardians appointed registrars of births and deaths and administered 'indoor' relief in workhouses, infirmaries, casual wards, asylums, etc., also 'outdoor relief (including money, food or medicines) to the aged and infirm. Workhouses continued in use into the 20th century, and means tested welfare benefit continued until after World War 2 with the introduction of National insurance contributions, supporting a 'Welfare State' which gave people welfare assistance 'from the cradle to the grave'. After reforms many of the old Workhouses became hospitals, such as the one seen here. (There is an almost identical workhouse/hospital at Belper)