Babington Hospital had its beginnings in the Poor Law Acts following a Royal Commission in 1832.
Because of changes in industry and farming and trade fluctuations in the country at that time, vast social problems existed and the Poor Relief being administered placed an impossible burden on existing Workhouses. As a result of the findings of the Royal Commission 32 parishes in the Belper area were instructed to form a union based on the town.
The Belper Board of Guardians held their first meeting at the Lion Hotel Belper in May 1837. The construction of a new Workhouse was urgently needed for the local population of the 32 parishes.
In 1840 work on the new Workhouse, designed by Sir Giles Scott was almost completed on a two and a half acre site on 'Babington Meadow' off the Turnpike Road to Derby, the land was bought from
George Benson Strutt at a cost of £750, Built in Derbyshire stone the cost of the completed Workhouse was £8700.