Walton Hospital started life as a West Derby Poor Law Institution in 1868. It was at first a workhouse providing facilities for healthy as well as sick inmates. During the early twentieth century it expanded its role as a hospital. From 1913 it was no longer known as a workhouse, being known as the Walton Institution. After the abolition of the Poor Law Guardians in 1930 it changed its name once more to Walton Hospital and no longer had responsibilities for the healthy poor. The hospital became part of the National Health Service in 1948 and became particularly known for its treatment of neurological problems. The hospital closed in 1994.