FAIR Havens Hospice may face closure - after an independent report found it was unfit for purpose.

Surveyors found the Westcliff hospice failed more than half of the standards required by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Failures include inadequate fire escape routes and a lack of privacy for patients and family.

Hospice bosses now fear the commission may close the facility at its next inspection, due within the next year.

Chief executive Andy Smith said: “Our main focus is, and always has been, to care for patients and their families when they need us most.

“We have no intention of voluntarily closing our existing service - however we are in the hands of subsequent Care Quality Commission inspections. These take place every year, as well as unannounced visits.

“There is a very real threat of closure in the future if the CQC choose to run its own inspection on the suitability of our premises.”