Libby Instone, a 20-year-old Newcastle University law student from Billingham, Teesside, tragically died in August 2023 after multiple visits to North Tees Hospital Urgent Care Centre. Despite experiencing severe symptoms, including days of vomiting and intense pain following a trip to London, hospital staff reportedly dismissed her as a “time-waster”.
During her care, staff were said to be distracted by watching the Women’s World Cup Final on television. Libby sought medical help three times within 24 hours, initially being misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis. She was prescribed anti-sickness medication and given saline drips but was sent home on multiple occasions.
Her exhausted family returned with her each time as her condition worsened, including an incident where she vomited in the hospital car park. Libby’s parents reported that hospital staff prioritised watching a penalty shoot-out over patient care, being told, “You won’t get any sense out of them until this has ended,” as nurses gathered around the TV.
Although Libby was eventually admitted to a ward, she was discharged later that day despite still feeling severely ill. An independent medical expert noted that Libby’s inability to open her bowels contradicted the gastroenteritis diagnosis, which is typically associated with diarrhoea. Multiple opportunities were missed for vital abdominal scans that could have led to a life-saving operation for her blocked intestine.
Shortly after returning home, Libby collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, but she could not be saved. Her mother, Susan Instone, described how her once fit and energetic daughter spent her last days in agony and fear, feeling neglected and uncared for.
Dr Michael Stewart, chief medical officer for North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, offered an “unreserved and sincere apology” for lapses in Libby’s care. Teesside Coroner Clare Bailey clarified that neglect findings imply a gross failure to provide basic medical care but recorded a narrative conclusion in this case.
Originally published by UKNIP.
