Three leading hospices in SW London and Surrey are “urgently” calling on the government for more funding.

St Raphael’s in North Cheam, Princess Alice in Esher and Royal Trinity on Clapham Common say ministers must step in.

They say they’ve consistently warned NHS commissioners the 23% to 30% contribution towards their combined core costs is insufficient.

The trio of hospices collectively spent £14.9 million delivering specialist and integral services last year.