A Tragic Case of Medical Neglect
An aspiring barrister, Libby Instone, 20, lost her life after being misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis, an inquest revealed. The case has highlighted serious failures in the medical care she received, ultimately leading to her death.
Libby, a law student from Billingham, Co Durham, visited a hospital urgent care centre three times within 24 hours due to persistent vomiting and severe pain. Despite her worsening condition, she was repeatedly diagnosed with gastroenteritis and sent home each time. In reality, she suffered from an infarction of her small intestine, which caused her to collapse, experience cardiac arrest, and eventually pass away in August 2023.
The inquest in Middlesbrough concluded that there were “gross failures” in Libby’s care, with neglect playing a significant role in her death. The hearing uncovered several critical issues in the treatment she received.
Multiple Visits and Missed Opportunities
Libby initially returned from a trip to London with her boyfriend on August 16, 2023, when she began experiencing vomiting and extreme pain. Her mother, Susan Instone, called 111 on August 18 and took her to the urgent care centre, where she was prescribed anti-sickness medication but not examined. She was sent home, but her family brought her back later that evening. A doctor diagnosed her with gastroenteritis and placed her on a saline drip before sending her home again.
By 1:30 am on August 19, she was back at the urgent care centre, where it was decided she should visit A&E. After waiting nine hours to be seen, she was given a drip, painkillers, and anti-sickness medication before being admitted to a ward. However, the following day, her parents found her in a deteriorating condition.
Distraction and Neglect in A&E
During one of the visits, Libby’s parents encountered a concerning situation in A&E. Mrs Instone described how staff were preoccupied watching a Women’s World Cup match on TV. She said, “All the nurses were stood around the telly. We asked if they could tell us where Libby was and someone said, ‘you won’t get any sense out of them until this has ended.’”
After the match ended, the family was finally directed to Libby’s location. They found her extremely ill and pale, which shocked them. Later that day, Libby was allowed to go home but soon returned to bed after feeling unwell. She reportedly expressed fear about dying, to which her mother responded with reassurance.
Minutes later, Libby collapsed, and paramedics were called. Despite their efforts, she could not be saved.
A Coroner’s Findings
Teesside Coroner Clare Bailey concluded that neglect contributed to Libby’s death due to the failure to provide basic medical attention. She noted that Libby endured four days of vomiting and severe abdominal pain, yet the medical team focused solely on a gastroenteritis diagnosis without further investigation.
The coroner emphasized missed opportunities for proper examination, including scans that could have identified her blocked intestine. An independent medical expert confirmed that Libby had not been able to open her bowels for several days, a symptom inconsistent with gastroenteritis. This should have raised concerns among medics, as diarrhoea is typically associated with the condition.
Dr Michael Stewart, group chief medical officer for North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, offered an apology for the missed opportunities in Libby’s care.
Family’s Heartbreaking Account
Libby’s family expressed their anguish over the events leading up to her death. Mrs Instone stated that her daughter’s final days were filled with agony and fear. She criticized the medical professionals who failed to show compassion or address her symptoms seriously.
Her boyfriend, Theo Corbett, described Libby as a beautiful, intelligent young woman who will be deeply missed. He highlighted the lack of decency and empathy shown during her hospital visits.
The family also mentioned that they were initially told Libby could not have been saved. However, six months later, they discovered the truth—there were multiple chances to save her through timely intervention.
This tragic case underscores the importance of thorough medical evaluation, especially in cases of persistent and severe symptoms. It serves as a reminder of the critical need for attentive care and the devastating consequences of neglect.
