GP surgery in Darwen
Darwen Healthcare
James Street West, Darwen, BB3 1PY
Scores 90 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 89% of patients say their experience is good and 82% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2016. It is taking on new patients.
How the score breaks down
Each line is a score out of 100. The England average is 50 and higher is better. How it works
Getting an appointment 90
- Easy to get through on the phone85
- Easy to contact online84
- Good experience of getting in touch82
- Did not wait too long for the appointment85
Quality of care 86
- Patients rate the surgery as good84
- Patients got what they needed52
- Doctors and nurses listen52
- Patients trust the staff70
- Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
- Health checks and screening done55
- Meets NHS clinical targets96
- Children vaccinated on time62
What patients say
124 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
82%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
89%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
+1
change since last year
2025: 88% · 2026: 89%
Getting in touch
The appointment
All survey questions, compared with England
| What patients said | This surgery | England | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting in touch | |||
| Easy to get through by phone | 82% | 57% | 74% |
| Easy to contact via website | 74% | 58% | 77% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 77% | 54% | 62% |
| Reception staff helpful | 92% | 85% | 94% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 33% | 31% | 37% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 49% | 42% | 45% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 90% | 84% | 91% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 98% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 86% | 73% | 86% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 79% | 57% | 67% |
| Waiting time was about right | 84% | 69% | 87% |
| Remote appointment | 15% | 26% | 16% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 88% | 87% | 96% |
| Treated with care and concern | 89% | 86% | 95% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 80% | 75% | 85% |
| Had all the information needed | 99% | 92% | 97% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 91% | 92% | 96% |
| Needs were met | 91% | 90% | 94% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 89% | 77% | 88% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 80% | 79% | 80% |
| Supported by local services | 77% | 70% | 85% |
| Discussed managing condition | 42% | 43% | 68% |
| Agreed a care plan | 43% | 46% | 46% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 124 replies, a gap of a few points may just be chance.
What patients tell us
From people who use this surgery. Official data cannot tell you these things.
Tell us about this surgery
10 quick questions, one tap each, no sign-up. Your answers help the next person choosing a GP.
1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?
2 of 10When you last phoned, how long did it take to get through?
3 of 10How did you book your last appointment?
4 of 10Can you usually see the same GP?
5 of 10Was your last appointment on time?
6 of 10Are the reception staff helpful?
7 of 10Did the doctor or nurse listen to you?
8 of 10How easy is it to get a repeat prescription?
9 of 10Is parking easy?
10 of 10Would you recommend this surgery?
Thank you. Your answers are counted.
Reviews
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Write a review
Opening times and contact
| Monday | 8am to 8pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 7:15pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 30 August 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- James Street West, Darwen, BB3 1PY
- Phone
- 01254 964640
- [email protected]
- Website
- darwenhealthcare.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Darwen PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- P81051 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Car parking
- Cycle parking
- Disabled parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Outstanding
overall, from the inspection published 8 November 2016
This rating is 9 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Outstanding |
| Is it caring? | Good |
| Is it responsive? | Good |
| Is it well-led? | Outstanding |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 19.5% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.3% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 9.8% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.5% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 33.1% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 22.4% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 13.5% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 77% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 78% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 64% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 73% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 80% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 64% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwen Healthcarethis surgery | – | 90 | 82% | 89% | Yes |
| Darwen HealthlinkDarwen, BB3 1PY | under 0.1 miles | 40 | 58% | 79% | Yes |
| Spring-Fenisco HealthlinkDarwen, BB3 1BZ | 0.4 miles | 86 | 88% | 87% | Yes |
| Hollins Grove SurgeryDarwen, BB3 1ET | 0.7 miles | 89 | 80% | 90% | Yes |
| Roman Road Health CentreBlackburn, BB2 3UY | 2.3 miles | 86 | 79% | 84% | Yes |
| Bentham Road Health CentreBlackburn, BB2 4QD | 2.8 miles | 13 | 49% | 73% | Yes |
| St Georges SurgeryBlackburn, BB2 3HS | 3.0 miles | 39 | 66% | 75% | Yes |
| The Cornerstone PracticeBlackburn, BB1 2HR | 3.1 miles | 17 | 42% | 78% | Yes |
| Pringle Street SurgeryBlackburn, BB1 1SB | 3.2 miles | 40 | 68% | 76% | Yes |
| Witton Medical CentreBlackburn, BB2 2SU | 3.4 miles | 72 | 80% | 91% | Yes |
Common questions
Is Darwen Healthcare taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Darwen Healthcare was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01254 964640.
How do patients rate Darwen Healthcare?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 89% of patients at Darwen Healthcare said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 82% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 90 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Darwen Healthcare?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Darwen Healthcare as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 8 November 2016).
What are the opening times of Darwen Healthcare?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 8pm, Tuesday 8am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8am to 7:15pm, Thursday 8am to 6:30pm, Friday 8am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 30 August 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Darwen Healthcare?
Call 01254 964640 or visit its website, darwenhealthcare.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is James Street West, Darwen, BB3 1PY.
How many patients are registered at Darwen Healthcare?
Around 14,361 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Darwen PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS area.
Where this comes from: the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, Care Quality Commission ratings, NHS records of patients, conditions, checks and vaccinations (published through OHID Fingertips), and this surgery's page on the NHS website (checked 20 September 2026). Read how the score is worked out. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.