HEALTH groups have been criticised for failing to identify the neglect of a child who had to be put on life support for 12 days.

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children’s Board have published a serious case review on the girl, named as Megan, who collapsed at her home.

Groups including Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group, the North East London Foundation Trust, and Basildon Hospital were criticised for failing to safeguard Megan.

She was admitted to hospital and put in intensive care in November 2013, where it was discovered her personal hygiene had been neglected.

Her body was dirty and she had head lice, which required intensive treatment. She was later diagnosed with severe anaemia.

Megan needed life support, and medical tests showed she had a blood clot on her brain.

She will be on anti-coagulation therapy for life.

The review focused on 2008 to 2013, when she was aged between 13 and 18 and living with her mum, brother and step-grandfather.

During this time she was a victim of actual bodily harm, and Megan and her brother were home schooled.

There were eight failed home visits by the Thurrock Pupil Support Service The report highlighted missed opportunities, including the police child abuse team only becoming aware of Megan once she was in hospital.

It found it was “likely” longterm neglect contributed towards her medical condition.

Prior to the start of the review period, Megan and her brother were placed on the child protection register for two years.