A law student was treated as a 'time-waster' by NHS staff before she died in excruciating pain, an inquest has heard. Libby Instone, 20, from Billingham, Teesside, had been vomiting for days and was repeatedly told she had gastroenteritis before she collapsed and died in August 2023.
Libby, who studied law at Newcastle University and aspired to become a barrister, died from an infarction of her small intestine, Teesside Coroner Clare Bailey was told. Her mother, Susan Instone, 57, told the inquest that her daughter returned from a trip to London with her boyfriend on August 16 when she began vomiting and suffering extreme pain.
Mrs Instone called 111 on August 18 and brought Libby to North Tees Hospital Urgent Care Centre (UCC), where she was prescribed anti-sickness medication but was not physically examined. Later that evening, the family brought her back, and a doctor diagnosed gastroenteritis, placing her on a saline drip. She was discharged at 1.30am on August 19 but vomited 'black liquid' in the car park.
Her parents brought her back to the UCC at 2.30pm that day, as she was 'totally exhausted and very weak'. After a discussion with staff, they took her to A&E, where they waited nine hours before she was seen. She was given a drip, painkillers, and anti-sickness medication. Libby was admitted to a ward, but her parents claimed staff were distracted watching a penalty shoot-out in the Women's World Cup. She was later allowed home but continued to feel ill.
Mrs Instone said: 'She said she was scared and asked if she was going to die. I laughed and told her not to be daft.' Minutes later, Libby collapsed and was taken to hospital but could not be saved. A nurse told the family that staff had thought she was a time-waster. An independent medical expert found that Libby had been unable to open her bowels for days, which should have raised concerns. A stomach scan and surgical procedure could have saved her. Dr Michael Stewart, group chief medical officer for North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, offered an 'unreserved and sincere apology for the missed opportunities in Libby's care'.
