Libby Instone, a 20-year-old Newcastle University law student from Billingham, Teesside, tragically died in August 2023 following repeated visits to North Tees Hospital Urgent Care Centre. Despite experiencing severe symptoms, including days of vomiting and intense pain after a trip to London, hospital staff reportedly dismissed her as a “time-waster.” During her care, staff were distracted by watching the Women’s World Cup Final on television.
Libby sought medical help three times within 24 hours. Initially, she was misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis and prescribed anti-sickness medication along with saline drips. However, she was sent home multiple times despite her worsening condition. Her exhausted family brought her back each time, including once when she vomited in the hospital car park.
Libby’s parents raised concerns that hospital staff prioritized watching a penalty shoot-out over patient care. They were reportedly 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 the same day despite still feeling severely ill.
An independent medical expert reviewing the case noted that Libby’s inability to open her bowels contradicted the gastroenteritis diagnosis, which is typically associated with diarrhoea. Multiple opportunities were missed to perform vital abdominal scans that could have identified a blocked intestine and potentially led to a life-saving operation.
Tragically, Libby collapsed shortly after returning home 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, issued an “unreserved and sincere apology” for the lapses in Libby’s care. Teesside Coroner Clare Bailey clarified that findings of neglect imply a gross failure to provide basic medical care but recorded a narrative conclusion in this case.
Originally published by UKNIP.
