A Cheam hospice has announced that it will be run as a “sustainable and independent” charity from this autumn onwards.

The decision was announced on May 13 by trustees of St Raphael’s Hospice, in London Road, alongside the hospice management team to staff and volunteers.

St Raphael’s Hospice provides end-of-life care to patients in both Merton and Sutton, and was originally formed as part of St Anthony’s Hospital.

Brigadier Mike Roycroft, its chief executive, said: “Over a number of years we have been planning in detail for a long-term independent and sustainable future for St Raphael’s.

“From the autumn the hospice facilities will be transferred into a new charity, still called St Raphael’s Hospice, which will continue to provide and develop the same quality services that it always has.

“Day-to-day services and activities will continue to run as they do now, [and] our patients and their families will continue to receive excellent care and support.”

It is hoped the transfer will be completed on September 30 and, as part of St Raphael’s transfer to a new charity, the Daughters of the Cross have agreed to an endowment to fund the new management plan put forward.

Sister Veronica Hagen, the Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross Liege, said: “St Raphael’s Hospice provides essential services to many people across Merton and Sutton.

“By securing a self-sustaining future for the organisation, the community will continue to access its excellent services for years to come.”