The hospital had its origins in the Wigan Poor Law Union Workhouse established in 1837.[2] This became the Frog Lane Public Assistance Institution in 1930.[3] After it joined the National Health Service in 1948, it became the Frog Lane Welfare Home and started specialising in the care of the elderly.[3] It became known as the Frog Lane Hospital before closing in 1970.[3]
Opened in 1968, Billinge Maternity Hospital was established on the site and served as the maternity facility for the surrounding areas.[4][5] In 2002 a group of women had their experiences of giving birth shown on Sky's Discovery Channel.[6] After services had been transferred to other facilities in the area, the maternity hospital closed in June 2004[7] and the buildings were demolished in 2016.[1] The site was subsequently developed for housing.[1]