Darwin Medical Practice: appointments, hours, branches, prescriptions and patient portal help
Darwin Medical Practice runs NHS GP services across Greenwood Health Centre, Chasetown Medical Centre and St Chad’s Health Centre. This guide gives the action first: how to use the self-service portal, book routine or urgent GP help, order prescriptions, check results, register, plan branch travel and know when to use NHS 111 or 999.
Use this number for: help if you cannot use the website, urgent appointment support, nurse/HCA booking, home-visit queries, prescription delays, online-access issues, registration support, branch-location questions, interpreter needs, chaperone requests and access support.
Greenwood Health Centre
Lichfield Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS7 0AQ
Chasetown Medical Centre
29–31 High Street, Chasetown, Burntwood, Staffs, WS7 3XE
St Chad’s Health Centre
Dimbles Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7HT
Darwin Medical Practice branches: choose the right site
Darwin is not one single door. It has three listed branches. Always check your appointment message before travelling, because urgent and extended appointments may be at a different Darwin or partner site.
| Branch | Address | Use this travel note | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood Health Centre | Lichfield Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS7 0AQ | CQC current profile also uses Greenwood Health Centre. Thursday evening extended access is listed here. | Open map |
| Chasetown Medical Centre | 29–31 High Street, Chasetown, Burntwood, Staffs, WS7 3XE | Practice news warns patients to be mindful of parking at the rear because adjoining premises are owned by a dental practice. | Open map |
| St Chad’s Health Centre | Dimbles Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7HT | Use exact postcode because this is the Lichfield branch, not Burntwood/Chasetown. | Open map |
Opening hours, consulting times, Thursday evening and Saturday hub
Core hours and consulting times are not the same thing. The building/phone route may be open while a specific doctor, nurse or hub appointment has different availability.
| Time or service | Official detail | Patient action |
|---|---|---|
| Core weekday hours | Monday to Friday 08:00am–6:30pm. | Use normal contact routes during core hours. |
| Consulting times | Monday to Friday 08:30am–12:30pm and 2:00pm–6:00pm. | Appointment time depends on clinician and branch. |
| Bank holidays | Closed. | Order prescriptions early before bank holidays. |
| Thursday evening extended access | 6:30pm–8:30pm, pre-booked appointments at Greenwood Health Centre. | Ask if evening slot is available and confirm branch. |
| Saturday hub | 09:00am–5:00pm, working with Burntwood/Lichfield practices at Samuel Johnson Hospital. | Do not travel to your usual branch unless your message says so. |
| PLT closure | Practice closes at 1pm one Tuesday each month for staff training. | Use 999 for emergencies. For urgent condition that cannot wait, official page lists Vocare on 0345 123 5491, or NHS 111. |
| Out of hours | Use NHS 111 online or call 111 for urgent problems that cannot wait. | Use 999 if emergency symptoms exist. |
Self-service portal: choose the right door before you phone
Darwin says the new portal lets patients self-book routine appointments, request urgent appointments, send medical questions, perform admin tasks and more without waiting on the telephone.
Admin
Use for sick notes, scripts, paperwork and admin-related items. Do not use it for life-threatening symptoms.
Medical advice without appointment
Use when you need advice from a clinician, want to ask a medical question, or need guidance that may not require an appointment.
I need an appointment
Use the appointments portal to check appointment type and follow the guided process.
Can’t use the website?
The practice says people with frailty, disability, sight impairment or limited internet access can still phone 01543 682654 or come to reception.
Appointments: routine, urgent, telephone, chaperone and interpreter help
Darwin’s official appointment page gives separate rules for adults, urgent requests, telephone consultations, appointment length and access needs.
Call 999 for medical or mental health emergency. Use NHS 111 online/call 111 for urgent medical help now when it is not life-threatening.
Book online via Rapid Health, call care navigators if you cannot access the online system, ask in person, or use NHS App where routine appointments are available.
Tell the receptionist/care navigator it is urgent and give a brief description. Darwin’s Urgent Care Team may use a Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate or GP, and urgent appointments may be at any of the 3 branches.
The clinician may call up to 2 hours before or 2 hours after the allocated time. Keep your phone nearby and able to receive unknown/NHS numbers.
The practice asks patients to observe “one appointment, one problem” and says appointments are for one person only.
Ask at booking. Interpreters can be arranged in person or by telephone if mentioned in advance.
Hello, my name is [name]. Date of birth: [date]. I am registered with Darwin Medical Practice. I need help with [one clear problem]. It started [when]. It is [getting worse/not improving]. I can attend [Greenwood / Chasetown / St Chad’s / any branch]. Is this best for Rapid Health, urgent care team, nurse practitioner, GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999?
Prescriptions: NHS App first, Rapid Health backup, 2-working-day rule
The official prescription page says the easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is NHS App or NHS website. Rapid Health is available for repeat and acute prescription requests if NHS App is not suitable.
| Prescription need | Do this | Avoid this mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat medicine | Use NHS App or NHS website first. | Do not wait until the last tablet; allow at least 2 working days plus pharmacy time. |
| Cannot use NHS App | Use Rapid Health prescription request. Adult patients should select “Repeat Prescription Request”; child under-16 requests use the child request route. | Do not submit vague medicine names. Copy exact name, strength and dose from the box. |
| Acute medicine | Use Rapid Health if it is not available in NHS App. Acute items may need clinical review before reissue. | Do not assume antibiotics, contraception or one-off courses are automatically repeatable. |
| Stable long-term medicine | Ask GP or pharmacist if electronic Repeat Dispensing could help. | Do not keep making unnecessary monthly surgery requests if eRD is suitable. |
| Nominated pharmacy | Nominate high-street pharmacy through NHS App/NHS website, GP practice or pharmacy. | Outstanding prescriptions may still go to the old pharmacy after changing nomination. |
| Online-only pharmacy | Register through the online pharmacy website. NHS App cannot nominate online-only pharmacies. | Check delivery times before changing if you need medicine soon. |
| Prescription charge | England charge shown by the practice: £9.90 per item, 3-month PPC £32.05, 12-month PPC £114.50. | If you need 4+ items in 3 months or 14+ in 12 months, PPC may be cheaper. |
Test results: abnormal-result rule, NHS App and confidentiality
The official test-results page says Darwin contacts patients by phone or letter only if a result is abnormal and treatment or further investigation is needed. Normal results do not usually trigger contact.
GP-ordered tests usually go through GP records. Hospital-ordered tests may need hospital follow-up.
The practice says patients are contacted only if a result is abnormal and needs treatment or further investigation.
Medical records can be viewed via NHS App, depending on your online access permissions.
Adult results are not given to anyone other than the patient except in exceptional circumstances.
If you become more unwell while waiting for a result, contact GP, NHS 111 or 999 depending on severity.
Online services and NHS App: setup, records and proxy access
Online services can help with appointment booking/checking/cancelling, repeat prescriptions, parts of your record, medicines, vaccinations, test results and communications between GP and other services.
| Online access task | Official route | Patient tip |
|---|---|---|
| Get access | Complete Online Access Request form and attend a Darwin surgery with proof of identity. | Allow up to 5 working days after submission. |
| Link NHS App | Practice sends email linkage PIN to enter into NHS App or website. | Check email carefully and keep PIN private. |
| Request full GP record | Submit Subject Access Request. Practice says full-record processing can take up to 4 weeks. | Useful for legal, insurance or transfer needs. |
| Adult proxy access | Patient usually completes consent and attends surgery with ID. | If patient lacks capacity, ask surgery to discuss clinician-approved route. |
| Child proxy access | Parent/person with parental responsibility can request for under-11s; access changes around age 11 and 14. | Plan ahead if managing a young person’s appointments/medicine. |
Register with Darwin Medical Practice
The official registration page says Darwin welcomes new patient applications from Lichfield, Burntwood and listed surrounding areas, with online registration often possible quickly if details are accurate.
Darwin lists Lichfield including new estates, Streethay, Burntwood WS7 postcodes, Muckley Corner, Cannock Wood, Chorley and Farewell.
The practice says online applications can take as little as 48 hours if information is accurate.
If you cannot complete the online form, Darwin still accepts a small number of paper applications, but recent demand may mean allowing up to 7 days.
The practice recommends at least one month’s supply and specifically says to have 4 weeks’ medication available before registering.
You will be given a named GP, but the practice says you can consult other doctors. For ongoing problems, continuity with the same doctor is recommended.
Temporary registration up to 3 months is available, but Darwin says online registrations are not accepted for temporary patients; visit one of the three branches.
Disabled access, hearing support, parking and communication help
The registration/access information says Darwin has worked to make the practice accessible for patients with mobility issues or wheelchair needs.
Parking
Wheelchair-friendly parking spaces are listed at all branches. At Chasetown, practice news asks patients to avoid using rear spaces owned by the adjoining dental practice.
Disabled toilets
Disabled toilet facilities are listed at all branches.
Hearing support
The practice lists a portable loop system on reception for patients who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Accessible information
The practice references Accessible Information Standard support such as large print, Braille, email or professional communication support where needed.
Hello, I have an appointment/request with Darwin Medical Practice. I need help with [wheelchair access / disabled parking / hearing loop / interpreter / BSL / large print / carer support]. Can this be added before I attend?
Who should I ask to see?
Darwin’s appointment page makes clear you may not always need a GP. The right clinician may be faster and safer.
| Need | Likely route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent same-day problem | Urgent Care Team: Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate or GP. | Darwin says urgent appointments may be with any of these and at any of the 3 branches. |
| Routine follow-up | Routine GP/nurse appointment, usually bookable up to six weeks ahead. | Better for non-urgent reviews and ongoing problems. |
| Prescription or medicine review | GP, nurse practitioner, practice nurse or pharmacy route. | Repeat medicines usually need annual review. |
| Mental health or joint problem | Specialist practitioner route may be available with shorter waits. | Appointments portal notes specialist practitioners for mental health or joint problems. |
| Nursing appointment | Call surgery or book in person. | Examples include blood tests, cervical screening, vaccinations and injections. |
| Minor illness advice | Community pharmacy where suitable. | Pharmacists can advise and may offer prescriptions for some Pharmacy First conditions. |
Private work and non-NHS letters/forms
The official non-NHS page says forms and letters completed by GPs may be private work, incur a charge, and can take at least 6 weeks or longer if the GP is away.
| Private request | Examples listed by practice | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Medical forms | Pre-employment, sports, driving requirements including HGV/PSV. | Ask cost and timescale before booking. |
| Insurance documents | Insurance claim forms and reports. | Bring full form and insurer deadline. |
| Travel/medication documents | Prescriptions for taking medication abroad, vaccination certificates. | Request early before travel. |
| Private sick notes | Private sick notes are listed as chargeable non-NHS work. | Check whether self-certification or NHS fit note rules apply first. |
CQC: current registration and historical Good rating
CQC has two important facts for Darwin. The current Greenwood Health Centre service registered in 2022 and has not yet been inspected. CQC also shows the previous-address rating history so patients can understand the practice’s inspection background.
| CQC item | Official detail | How to explain it |
|---|---|---|
| Current CQC location | Darwin Medical Practice, also known as Greenwood Health Centre, Lichfield Road, Burntwood, WS7 0AQ. | Use this for current CQC service profile. |
| Current status | Registered 18 August 2022; CQC says it has not inspected this service yet. | Do not describe as a new current “Good” inspection. |
| Historical rating | Rating from previous address shows Overall Good and Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. | Use “previous-address rating history” wording. |
| Latest historical report | Previous-address report published 18 March 2019. | Useful quality history, not live appointment availability. |
| Regulated activities | Maternity/midwifery, family planning, treatment of disease/disorder/injury, surgical procedures and diagnostic/screening procedures. | These are regulated categories, not a booking menu. |
Map and directions: Greenwood Health Centre main CQC site
Map shown: Greenwood Health Centre, Lichfield Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS7 0AQ. For Chasetown or St Chad’s, use the branch direction links above.
Before travelling
Check branch name, appointment time, clinician type, whether it is telephone/face-to-face, medicines, forms, samples, photo ID for online access, and access needs.
Send to a driver/carer
Darwin Medical Practice, Greenwood Health Centre, Lichfield Road, Burntwood, WS7 0AQ. Phone: 01543 682654.
If your message says Chasetown
Use 29–31 High Street, Chasetown, Burntwood, WS7 3XE. Avoid assuming every Darwin appointment is at Greenwood.
If your message says St Chad’s
Use Dimbles Lane, Lichfield, WS13 7HT. This is a separate Lichfield branch.
When Darwin Medical Practice is closed
Use the correct urgent-care route. Out-of-hours services are generally busy, so use them for problems that genuinely cannot wait until the practice reopens.
| Problem | Use this | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | Call 999 | Chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, severe bleeding, not responding. |
| Urgent but not life-threatening | NHS 111 online or call 111 | Too unwell to wait, unsure what service is right, possible Primary Care Centre need. |
| PLT closure urgent issue | Official page lists Vocare on 0345 123 5491, NHS 111, or 999 for emergency. | Use only if it cannot wait until surgery reopens. |
| Minor illness / medicine advice | Pharmacy or NHS 111 if urgent. | Cough/cold, sore throat, tummy trouble, medicine side effects. |
| Routine GP/admin | Self-service portal / NHS App / phone during core hours. | Fit notes, prescriptions, registration, results, forms and non-urgent follow-up. |
Official action links used
Use these after checking the relevant section above, so you do not land on the wrong page or branch.
Official Darwin Medical Practice website · Contact and branch details · Opening hours · Self-service portal · Appointments · Rapid Health portal · Prescriptions · Test results · Online services · New patient registration · Private/non-NHS services · NHS Greenwood profile · NHS Chasetown profile · Current CQC profile